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THE 

MODERN  BETHESDA, 

OR 

THE  GIFT  OF  HEALING  RESTORED. 

BEING 

SOME  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  LIFE  AND  LABORS 

OF 

Dr.  J.  R.  NEWTON,  Healer. 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  NATURE  AND  SOURCE  OF  THE  HEAL- 
ING POWER,  AND  THE  CONDITIONS  OF  ITS  EXERCISE, 

I^otes  of  Valuable  Auxiliary  Remedies,  Health  Maxims,  etc 


EDiTEn^;j:r^=^=5aKWT0N. 

'^-^    0'^'   Til  a         ^^ 


0  3r 


t>yy 


"Jesus  saith  unto  him,  'K\?^^XSk;^^^^lk^\^w^M^gjl^^^^ViA  immediately  the  man  was  made 
whole." — John  v.  8,  9.  ^ —  ^""'^^'^ 

"  He  that  believeth  on  me,  the  works  tnat  1  do  snail  he  do  also,  and  greater  than  these  shall  he 
do." — Jesus.     John  xiv.  12. 

"  And  these  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe  ;  .  .  .  .  they  shall  lay  hands  on  the  sick,  and 
they  shall  recover."— Thb  Same.    Mark  xvi.  18. 


NEW   YORK: 
NEWTON   PUBLISHING   COMPANY. 


^^  / 


Copyright, 

By 

NEWTON  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 

187? 


/^ 


In  the  Gospel  according  to  John  we  are  informed  that  anciently 
there  was  "  at  Jerusalem,  by  the  sheep-maiket,  a  pool,  which  was 
called  in  the  Hebrew  tongue  Bethesda,  having  five  porches.  In 
these  lay  a  great  multitude  of  impotent  folk,  of  blind,  halt,  withered, 
waiting  for  the  moving  of  the  water.  For,"  we  are  told,  "  an  angel 
went  down  at  a  certain  season  into  the  pool,  and  troubled  the 
water  :  whosoever  then  first  after  the  troubling  of  the  water  stepped 
in  was  made  whole  of  whatsoever  disease  he  had."     (John  v.  2-4.) 

Bethesda  signifies,  literally,  House  of  Mercy,  or  of  Pity. 

Even  in  the  days  of  Jesus,  this  ancient  Bethesda  was  evidently 
quite  inadequate  to  the  demands  made  upon  it.  And  in  later  times 
its  healing  virtue  seems  to  have  become  quite  exhausted.  Its 
porches  have  disappeared :  the  angel  comes  no  more  to  trouble  its 
waters.  A  recent  traveller  informs  us  that  on  his  visit  to  Jerusalem, 
in  September,  1873,  he  found  in  its  place  but  "  a  dirty  sunken  cess- 
pool, with  simply  a  show  of  shallow,  turbid  water."  * 

Is  there  not  need,  then,  of  a  Modern  Bethesda,  where  the  ills 
of  suffering  humanity  may  be  removed  ? 

The  Great  Healer  of  Judea,  at  whose  word  the  impotent  man, 
long  waiting  vainly  in  the  porches  of  the  ancient  pool,  was  made 
instantly  whole,  taught  the  existence  of  an  exhaustless  fountain  of 
Healing  Power,  everywhere  accessible  to  "  them  that  believe." 
Modern  experience  is  proving  that  this  same  fountain  of  Curative 

*  "  Around  the  World,"  by  J.  M.  Peebles,  1875. 


4  PREFACE. 

Energy  is  still   available,  on  the  same  conditions.     This  is  the 
Modern  Bethesda  of  which  this  volume  treats. 

The  nature  and  source  of  this  Healing  Power,  and  the  conditions 
on  which  it  is  available,  are  to  some  extent  indicated  in  the  pages 
which  follow. 

The  main  object  of  this  work  is  to  put  on  permanent  record 
such  facts  and  testimonies  as  shall  serve  to  furnish  to  the  present 
and  future  generations  irrefutable  proof  of  the  reality  of  the  "  Gift 
of  Healing."  It  will  also  afford  some  idea  of  the  extent  of  the 
beneficent  work  performed  by  one  among  many  modern  healers. 

It  should  be  added,  however,  that  the  record  herein  presented 
is  by  no  means  full.  No  memoranda  have  ever  been  made  of  a 
large  proportion  of  the  cures  effected  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton — many 
of  the  beneficiaries  objecting  to  any  public  use  of  their  names  ;  and, 
of  such  records  as  were  made,  numbers  have  been  lost  in  the  healer's 
journeyings  from  place  to  place  in  pursuance  of  his  work. 

From  the  materials  preserved  a  selection  has  been  made  for 
this  volume  of  such  as  would  present  a  large  variety  of  well-authen- 
ticated cases.  These  have  been  grouped  in  chapters,  with  refer- 
ence more  to  locality  than  to  chronological  order,  though  the  latter 
has  been  observed  so  far  as  practicable. 

This  book  is  not  intended  as  an  advertisement,  since  its  prepa- 
ration was  not  undertaken  until  after  Dr.  Newton  had  determined 
to  retire  from  his  laborious  practise  and  spend  the  remainder  of  his 
years  in  the  repose  of  private  life.  The  importunities  of  the  suffer- 
ing, however,  together  with  the  feeling  that  he  has  no  right  to 
allow  the  power  given  him  for  their  relief  to  lie  unused,  have  led 
him  to  reconsider  that  determination,  so  far  as  to  continue  the 
treatment  of  patients  at  a  distance  by  means  of  magnetized  letters, 
as  set  forth  in  Chapters  XI.  and  XIX.  of  this  work. 

The  Editor. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Introduction 8 

CHAPTER  I. 
Biographical 29 

CHAPTER  II. 
Beginning  of  Public  Career 33 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  Healer  in  Boston 37 

CHAPTER  IV. 
In  New  York  City 44 

CHAPTER  V. 
In  Philadelphia 56 

CHAPTER  VI. 

In 'Baltimore,  Md.  ;   New  Haven  and  Hartford,  Ct.  ;  and 

Springfield,  Mass 7$ 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Valuable  Remedies  and  Health  Maxims 92 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  Healer  in  Rochester  and  Auburn,   N.  Y.,  Havana, 

Cuba  ;  New  Orleans  ;  Savannah,  Chicago 97 

CHAPTER  IX. 

In  New  York  City,  again 1 11 

CHAPTER  X. 

In  Utica,  Troy,  Elmira,  and  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  ;  Toledo  and 

Columbus,  O.  ;  and  other  western  cities 127 


5  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Healing  at  a  Distance 139 

CHAPTER  XII. 
The  Healer  "  in  his  own  Country  " 155 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Echoes  from  Foreign  Lands 181 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
The  Gift  of  Healing  and  Modern  Spiritualism 189 

CHAPTER  XV. 
The  Old  Cry— "He  Hath  a  Devil!" 200 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
The  Healer  in  Europe 206 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
In  the  Provinces 234 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Some  English  Views. — Farewell  to  England 253 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Again  in  America 272 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Reminiscences  of  Dr.  Newton,  by  his  former  Secretary.  291 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Raising  the  Dead,  etc 302 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Faith,  Hope,  and  Love,  as  Curative  Agencies. — Why  some 

are  not  Healed 308 


INTRODUCTION. 


That  the  power  to  cure  disease  through  the  laying  on  of 
hands,  or  the  spoken  word,  or  by  other  means  aside  from  materia 
medica  administered  by  the  professional  physician,  once  existed 
among  men,  is  devoutly  believed  at  least  by  all  who  credit  the 
New  Testament  histories.  Jesus  of  Nazareth  is  by  the  Christian 
world  unquestioningly  accredited  with  the  possession  of  that  power 
in  an  unlimited  measure,  and  with  its  exercise  during  his  earthly 
ministry,  in  hundreds  and  thousands  of  cases,  to  the  relief  of  the 
sick  and  suffering  of  that  time.  And  he  is  further  believed  to  have 
conferred  the  same  power  upon  others,  his  immediate  disciples, 
who  continued  to  exercise  it  after  his  departure,  and  to  some  ex- 
tent transmitted  it  to  their  converts  and  successors.  Indeed,  Jesus 
himself  is  recorded  as  having  declared  that  they  who  believed  in 
him  (without  exception,  or  limitation  as  to  time)  should  be  attended, 
among  other  "signs,"  by  this  healing  power,  and  do  even  greater 
works  than  he  himself  had  wrought.      (Mark  xvi.   i8,  and  John 

Xiv.  12.) 

It  is  further  conceded  by  most  Christian  authorities  that  the 
exercise  of  this  healing  power  or  "  gift  "  continued  in  the  church, 
to  some  extent,  from  one  to  three  centuries  after  the  crucifixion  of 
its  founder.  Large  and  important  branches  of  Christendom,  indeed, 
as  the  Syrian,  Greek  and  Roman  churches,  have  maintained  that 
this  power  has  never  been  lost,  but  has  been  exercised,  occasionally 
at  least,  in  their  respective  communions,  by  "  saints  "  and  favored 
ones,  even  down  to  the  present  day.  Some  testimonies  on  this 
point  will  be  hereinafter  cited. 

The  Protestant  section,  however,  in  general,  has  distinguished 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

itself  by  taking  the  ground  that  this  "gift"'  ceased  to  oe  conferred 
on  behevers  after  the  third  century,  if  not  earlier ;  and  that  its 
lestoration  is  never  to  be  expected.  Some  noted  divines,  in  fact, 
have  gone  so  far  as  to  hold  that  no  "miracles,"  of  any  kind,  were 
performed  after  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  and  but  few  by  them — all 
testimony  to  the  contrary  being  set  down  to  the  credit  of  "  supersti- 
tion, credulity  and  ignorance."  They  have  thus  greatly  strengthened 
the  hands  of  those  materialists  and  skeptics  who  reject  totally  the 
New  Testament  histories  on  the  same  grounds  j  for  it  is  difficult 
for  rational  men  to  see  why  the  later  testimonies  should  be  wholly 
discredited,  and  the  more  remote  unquestioningly  received. 

And  to  justify  this  fiat  contradiction  of  the  promises  of  Jesus, 
Protestant  divines  have  invented  the  plausible  theory,  that  these 
"  miracles  ^^^  so  called,  were  intended  only  for  the  establishment  of  Chris- 
tianity in  the  world,  and  when  that  was  accomplished  the  power  to  per- 
form them  was  withdrawn. 

That  this  is  a  mere  after-thought,  brought  forward  by  degener- 
ate professors  of  Christianity,  to  avoid  the  confession  that  they 
lack  both  the  "faith  "  and  the  "  signs  "  spoken  of  by  Jesus,  would 
seem  evident  to  every  unprejudiced  reader  of  his  words.  For  he 
gave  no  hint  that  his  promise  was  for  a  limited  period  only,  but 
on  the  contrary  is  reported  as  saying,  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you  " — not 
for  three  centuries,  but — "  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 
(Matt,  xxviii.  20.) 

To  assume,  as  the  tlieory  in  question  does,  that  Jesus  and  his 
Apostles  wrought  the  cures  attributed  to  them  solely  or  chiefly  for 
the  purpose  of  establishing  in  the  world  a  system  of  doctrines,  is 
not  very  creditable  to  either  their  humanity  or  their  honesty. 
Jesus  is  represented  in  the  gospels  as  being  "  moved  with  compas- 
sion'' for  the  afflicted,  and  as  "touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  in- 
firmities." He  is  said  to  have  repeatedly  and  strictly  charged  those 
whom  he  healed  to  "  tell  no  man."  Shall  we,  in  the  face  of  such 
testimonies,  believe  that  he  had  no  human  sympathy  for  the  suf- 
ferers he  relieved  ? — that  he  coldly  calculated  merely  on  the  credit 
he  should  receive  for  each  "  miracle "  performed  ?  and  that  he 
really  meant  the  subjects  of  his  power  should  all  do  as  some  of 
them  did,  despite  his  charge — "  so  much  the  more  spread  his  fame 
abroad?"     This  is  asking  quite  too  much.     Besides,  Jesus  him- 


INTRODUCTION  Q 

self  taught,  according  to  the  record,  that  "  great  signs  and  wonders,'* 
/.  ^.,  miracles,  did  not  prove  the  divine  mission  of  those  who  wrought 
them.  He  warned  his  disciples  against  false  Christs  and  false 
prophets  who  should  come  doing  such  things.  (See  Matt.  xxiv. 
24;  Mark  xiii.  22.)  In  fact,  as  all  may  see,  a  marvellous,  inexpli- 
cable performance,  seemingly  contrary  to  nature,  can  never  prove 
the  truth  of  any  moral  principle  or  spiritual  law  taught  by  the  per- 
former. Such  principle  or  law  must  be  true  in  itself,  or  no  amount 
of  "  miracle  "  can  make  it  so. 

But  if  any  part  of  the  purpose  of  the  ''  gift  of  healing  "  was  to 
relieve  the  sufferings  of  mankind,  then  surely  there  has  been  no 
less  occasion  for  its  exercise  in  the  world  since  the  first  or  the  third 
century,  even  to  the  present  time,  than  existed  in  the  days  of  Jesus' 
personal  ministry.  Even  our  boasted  advance  in  medical  science 
and  sanitary  knowledge  has  not  yet  by  any  means  rendered  such 
works  of  mercy  uncalled  for  in  this  world.  The  catalogue  of 
patients  who  have  "  suffered  many  things  of  many  physicians,  and 
have  spent  all  that  they  had,  and  are  nothing  bettered,  but  rather 
grow  worse  "  (Mark  v.  26),  is  far  from  being  exhausted  ! 

And,  again,  were  it  true  that  the  chief  purpose  of  those  marvel 
lous  powers  in  the  early  days  was  to  establish  in  the  minds  and 
hearts  of  men  the  truths  which  Jesus  taught,  there  is  scarcely  less 
occasion  for  their  display  in  this  nineteenth  century  than  there  was. 
in  the  first.  Certainly,  at  no  past  age  within  historic  periods  has 
there  prevailed  materialism  more  stolid,  unbelief  in  spiritual  realix 
ties  more  deeply  intrenched,  or  indifference  to  the  soul's  highest 
welfare  more  profound,  than  characterize  multitudes  even  in  nom- 
inal Christendom  to-day.  If  the  Almighty  Father  ever  compassion- 
ated the  ignorance,  blindness  and  infirmities  of  his  children,  and 
condescended  to  meet  the  needs  of  their  low  estate,  in  any  past  age, 
it  would  be  difficult  to  show  why,  as  a  Being  of  unchanging  good- 
ness, he  should  not  continue  to  do  the  same  at  the  present  time. 

Surely,  then,  as  reasonable  beings,  we  must  look  elsewhere  than 
to  the  favorite  theory  of  these  sadducean  Protestant  divines  for  the 
truth  in  this  matter. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  these  introductory  pages  to  adduce  some  of 
the  evidences  which  go  to  show,  in  contravention  of  the  theory 
alluded  to,  that  the  marvellous  healing  powers^  as  well  as  other  "  gifts 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

of  the  spirit,"  displayed  m  the  primitive  Christian  age,  have  never 
been  wholly  lost  to  or  withdrawji  from  the  world,  but  have  continued 
to  be  enjoyed  wherever  the  requisite  human  conditions  for  their  exercise 
have  existed. 

Should  this  point  be  established,  it  will  follow  that,  in  so  far  as 
these  so-called  miraculous  powers  have  ceased  to  be  exhibited  in 
any  age  or  section  of  Christendom  (as  notably  among  most  Prot- 
estant sects),  it  has  been  because  of  a  lack  of  either  that  special 
kind  of  faith  indicated  by  Jesus,  or  some  other  condition  essential 
to  their  exercise. 

HEALING    IN    THE    FIRST    SIX    CENTURIES. 

The  historic  evidences  that  the  healing  power  and  other  "  spir- 
itual gifts  "  of  primitive  Christianity  did  not  wh6lly  cease  with  the 
Apostolic  age,  nor  even  in  the  third  century — in  other  words,  that 
the  promise  of  Jesus  to  those  who  believe,  did  not  fail — have  been 
so  fully  collated  by  that  well-known  and  universally  respected 
English  author,  Mr.  William  Howitt,  and  presented  in  his  "  His- 
tory of  the  Supernatural  "  (first  published  in  London,  and  after- 
wards in  this  country  by  Lippincott  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  1863), 
that  we  need  do  little  more  than  offer  a  few  citations  in  point  from 
his  pages.     We  quote,  italicizing  some  passages  of  special  note  : 

"  All  the  fathers  of  the  first  six  centuries  declare,  more  or  less,  the  existence  of 
miracles  in  the  church.  *  *  *  Justin  Martyr,  who  was  born  near  the  end  of  the 
first  century,  and  died  later  than  the  middle  of  the  second — namely,  in  161 — in 
contending  with  the  unbelieving  Jews,  says,  that  the  Incarnation  took  place  'for 
the  sake  of  unbelievers,  and  for  the  overthrow  of  evil  spirits ; '  and  he  adds, 
'  You  may  know  this  from  what  now  passes  before  your  eyes  j  for  many  de- 
moniacs all  over  the  world,  and  in  your  own  metropolis,  whom  none  other  ex- 
orcists, conjurors,  or  sorcerers  have  cured,  these  have  many  of  our  Christians 
cured,  adjuring  by  the  name  of  Christ,  and  still  do  airel*  And  again,  'With 
us,  even  hitherto,  are  prophetic  gifts,  for  which  you  Jews  ought  to  gather  that 
what  formerly  belonged  to  your  race  is  transferred  to  us.'  In  another  place  he 
says,  *  With  us  may  be  seen  both  males  and  females,  with  gifts  from  the  Spirit 
of  God.' 

"  Irenaeus,  who  lived  at  the  end  of  the  second  century,  and  suffered  martyr- 
dom in  202,  speaks  most  plainly,  as  quoted  by  Eusebius  (v.  214,  of  English 
translation)  :  'Far  are  they — the  churches — from  raising  the  dead  in  the  manner 

*  It  should  be  recollected  that  in  those  times  many  diseases  were  attributed  (perhaps  cor- 
rectly) to  possession  by  evil  spirits,  or  demons* — Ed. 


INTRODUCTION.  II 

the  Lord  and  his  Apostles  did,  by  prayer ;  yet  even  among  the  brethren  fre- 
quently, in  a  case  of  necessity,  when  a  whole  church  has  united  in  much  fasting 
and  prayer,  the  spirit  has  returned  to  the  exanimated  body,  and  the  man  has 
been  granted  to  the  prayer  of  the  saints.'  Again,  p.  215,  *  Some  most  certainly 
and  truly  cast  out  demons,  so  that  frequently  those  persons  themselves  that  were 
cleansed  from  wicked  spirits,  believed,  and  were  received  into  the  church. 
Others  have  the  knowledge  of  things  to  "come,  as  also  visions  and  prophetic 
communications.  Others  heal  the  sick  by  the  imposition  0/ hands,  and  restore  them 
to  health.  And,  moreover,  as  we  said  above,  even  the  dead  have  been  raised, 
and  continued  with  us  many  years.  And  why  should  we  say  more  ?  It  is  im- 
possible to  tell  the  number  of  gifts  which  the  church  throughout  the  world  re- 
ceived from  God,  and  the  deeds  performed  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  who 
was  crucified  under  Pontius  Pilate,  and  this  too  every  day  for  the  benefit  of  the 
heathen,  without  receiving  or  exacting  any  money.  For  as  she  freely  received, 
she  also  freely  ministers.'  In  another  place  Irenaeus  savs  :  '  We  hear  of  many 
of  the  brethren  in  the  church  who  have  prophetic  gifts,  and  who  speak  in  all 
tongues  through  the  Spirit,  and  who  also  bring  to  light  the  secret  things  of  men 
for  their  benefit,  and  who  expound  the  mysteries    of  God.'  " — Vol.  I.  pp.  440-1. 

"  Eusebius  adds  the  reason  why  these  gifts  had  declined  in  the  church  m  his 
time — namely,  not  that  the  heritage  of  miracle  had  ceased,  but  that  the  churches 
were  'unworthy'  of  them  (p.  215).  Yet  in  hisown  times,  the  commencement  of 
the  fourth  century,  he  says  in  his  *  Theophaneia '  (p.  300  of  translation),  *  Who 
is  he  who  knows  not  how  delightful  it  is  to  us  that  through  the  name  of  our 
Saviour,  coupled  with  prayers  that  are  pure,  we  cast  out  every  kind  of  demon  ? '  " 
— lb.  p  441. 

"  Tertullian,  the  most  celebrated  father  of  that  age  for  eloquence,  in  his  work 
'De  Anima,'  says,  '  We  had  a  right,  after  what  was  said  by  St.  John,  to  expect 
prophesyings ;  and  we  not  only  acknowledge  these  spiritual  gifts,  but  we  are 
permitted  to  enjoy  the  gifts  of  a  prophetess.  There  is  a  sister  amongst  us  who 
possesses  the  faculty  of  revelation.  She  commonly,  during  our  religious  service 
on  the  Sabbath,  falls  into  a  crisis  or  trance.  She  has  then  intercourse  with  the 
angels,  sees  sometimes  the  Lord  himself,  sees  and  hears  divine  mysteries,  and 
discovers  the  hearts  of  some  persons  ;  and  administers  medicine  to  such  as  desire 
it ;  and  when  the  Scriptures  are  read,  or  psalms  are  being  sung,  or  prayers  are 
being  offered  up,  subjects  from  thence  are  ministered  to  her  visions.'  " — /b  pp. 
442-3- 

"  Tertullian  gives  us  a  bold  proof  of  his  confidence  in  the  spiritual  power  of 
Christians  If  a  man,  he  says,  calls  himself  a  Christian,  and  cannot  expel  a 
demon,  let  him  be  put  to  death  on  the  spot." — p.  444. 

**  St.  Cyprian,  who  was  a  pupil  of  Tertullian,  and  suffered  martyrdom  in 
A.  D.  258,  *  *  *  declares  that  the  word  of  the  Christian  exorcist  burned 
evil  spirits.  *  There  is  no  measure,'  he  says,  '  or  rule  in  the  dispensation  of  the 
gifts  of  heaven,  as  in  those  of  the  gifts  of  earth.  The  spirit  is  poured  forth 
liberally,  without  limits  or  barriers.  It  flows  without  stop,  it  overflows  without 
stint.'  By  this,  he  says,  they  cleansed  unwise  and  impure  souls,  restored  men  to 
spiritual  and  bodily  health,  and  drove  forth  demons  who  had  violently  made  lodg- 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

ment  in  men,  smiting  them  by  the  spirit  and  scorching  them  with  its  fire." — 

p.  445- 

"  Origen,  who  was  contemporary  with  Cyprian,  says,  '  There  are  no  longer 
any  prophets  nor  any  miracles  amongst  the  Jews,  of  which  there  are  large 
vestiges  amongst  the  Christians; '  namely,  in  the  middle  of  the  third  century. 
Gregory,  Origen's  pupil,  and  Bishop  of  New  Caesarea  in  Pontus,  was  so  famous 
for  his  miracles  that  he  was  styled  Thaumaturgus,  or  Wonder-Worker.  *  *  * 
Origen  arguing  against  Celsus  (iii.  24),  says,  'By  the  use  of  the  name  alone  of 
God  and  Jesus,  we  too  have  seen  many  set  free  from  severe  complaints  ;  from  loss 
of  mind,  from  madness,  and  numberless  other  such  evils,  which  neither  man  nor 
devils  had  cured.'  " — pp.  446-7. 

*'  St.  Ambrose,  who  lived  to  the  end  of  the  fourth  century,  *  *  *  in  his 
fourth  epistle  says,  *  You  know  ye  yourselves  saw  that  many  were  cleansed  from 
evil  spirits,  very  many  on  touching  with  their  hands  the  garments  of  the  saints 
were  delivered  from  the  infirtnities  which  oppressed  them.  The  miracles  of  the  old 
time  are  come  again,  when  by  the  advent  of  the  Lord  Jesus  a  fuller  grace  was 
shed  on  earth.' 

"  St.  Augustine,  who  lived  to  near  the  middle  of  the  fifth  century  (a.  d.  430), 
bears  ample  testimony  to  the  continuance  of  the  miraculous  power  in  the  church 
then.  In  particular  he  relates  the  case  of  Innocentia,  a  religious  woman,  who 
in  her  sleep  was  ordered  to  go  to  the  font  where  she  had  been  baptized,  and 
there  to  mark  with  a  cross  her  breast  affected  by  a  cancer,  pronounced  by  the 
physicians  incurable,  and  that  it  was  immediately  healed.  He  relates  twenty 
miracles,  including  the  restoration  of  a  child  to  life  within  two  years,  at  the 
shrine  of  St.  Stephen. 

"  St.  Jerome,  also  living  in  the  fifth  century,  relates  numerous  miracles,  such 
as  the  restoration  of  the  sight  of  a  woman  who  had  been  blind  for  ten  years  ; 
the  instant  cure  of  the  bites  of  serpents,  of  paralytic  persons,  of  the  casting 
out  of  devils,  &c.  Sulpicius,  in  his  dialogues  and  life  of  St.  Martin,  in  the  fifth 
century,  relates  a  number  of  miracles  which  he  professes  to  have  seen  himself. 

"  We  might  thus  proceed  through  all  the  fathers  of  the  first  five  centuries  ; 
the  statements  are  precisely  the  same." — pp.  447-8. 

"So  much  for  the  Christian  fathers;  but  it  is  not  in  the  fathers  only  that 
the  miracles  of  the  first  six  centuries  of  Christendom  are  maintained.  We  turn 
to  the  whole  series  of  the  historians  of  the  church  through  those  ages,  and  the 
affirmation  is  the  same.  As  in  all  the  pagan  world  of  all  times,  so  in  all  the 
Christian  Church,  there  is  but  one  voice  in  the  matter.  We  have  a  series  of  five 
historians  of  the  church,  reaching  from  the  apostolic  times  to  the  end  of  the 
sixth  century — Eusebius,  Socrates  Scholasticus,  Sozomen,  Theodoret,  and 
Evagrius.  Eusebius  quotes  Hegisippus  and  Papias,  who  went  before  him; 
Socrates,  Sozomen,  and  Theodoret  all  treat  of  nearly  the  same  period  of  time, 
from  about  300  A.  D.  to  445  ;  Evagrius  advances  from  431  to  594  A.  D.  ;  yet  all 
maintain  the  same  great  doctrine  of  the  copious  existence  and  free  exercise  of 
the  miraculous  power  in  the  church  during  those  six  centuries.  To  state,  even 
in  brief  terras,  the  whole  of  these  miracles,  would  fill  a  large  volume." — 
PP-  453-4. 


INTRODUCTION.  1 3 

IN    THE    SYRIAN    AND    GREEK    CHURCHES. 

The  same  author  cites  abundant  evidences  to  show  that  the 
ancient  faith  in  miraculous  powers,  including  that  of  healing,  con- 
tinues to  this  day  in  the  Syrian  and  Grecian  branches  of  the 
Christian  Church.  A  modern  history  of  the  Russian  section  of 
the  Greek  Church,  by  M.  Mouravieff,  has  been,  within  a  few  years, 
translated  into  English  by  an  English  clergyman  and  scholar.  Mr. 
Howitt  says  : 

"  Warnings  received  in  divine  and  prophetic  declarations  by  eminent  prelates, 
as  well  as  cases  of  miraculous  ctire  at  the  tombs,  or  from  the  prayers  of  holy  men, 
the  successful  drawing  of  lots  laid  on  the  altar,  and  like  proofs  of  spiritual  inter- 
vention, will  be  found  numerously  throughout  Mouravieff." — Vol.  II.  p.  47-8. 

IN    THE    ROMAN    CHURCH. 

That  the  Roman  Church,  which  is  by  far  the  largest  branch  of 
nominal  Christendom,  has  ever  claimed,  and  still  claims,  to  be  the 
repository  of  all  spiritual  gifts,  that  of  healing  not  excepted,  is 
doubtless  known  to  all  readers.  It  is  common,  however,  for  Prot- 
estants to  regard  all  Romanist  accounts  of  marvels  with  especial 
distrust  and  incredulity,  as  either  the  inventions  of  crafty  priests 
or  the  exaggerations  of  superstition.  A  due  degree  of  caution  and 
discrimination  should  undoubtedly  be  exercised  in  accepting  mar- 
vellous accounts  from  this  as  from  all  other  sources,  whether 
ancient  or  modern.  But  there  are  histories  which  cannot  be  re- 
jected, except  upon  such  principles  as  would  destroy  the  credibility 
of  all  human  testimony.  And  it  is  a  rational  and  safe  rule  that 
we  may  give  credence  to  any  alleged  facts,  however  marvellous, 
honestly  related  to  have  taken  place  in  other  countries  or  ages,  that 
are  paralleled  by  facts  coming  under  our  observation,  or  affirmed  by 
credible  testimony  of  our  own  times.  In  so  far  then  as  Romanist' 
"  miracles  "  of  healing,  or  of  any  other  class,  are  of  the  same 
essential  nature  with  occurrences  amply  established  as  taking  place 
among  us  to-day,  we  are  fully  justified  in  yielding  them  credence. 
If  in  any  respect  they  go  beyond  our  personal  observation  or  ex- 
perience, or  that  of  credible  witnesses  of  our  own  time,  and  assert 
events  improbable  in  themselves,  we  may  justly  withhold  our 
credence  and  wait  for  further  proof. 

It  is  by  no  means  to  be  inferred,  however,  that  the  occurrence 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

of  these  marvels — or  "miracles,"  if  any  prefer  the  term — estab- 
lishes the  truth  of  all  or  any  of  the  doctrines  or  theoretical  opinions 
held  by  those  among  whom  they  take  place.  Far  from  it.  As  be- 
fore remarked,  moral  and  spiritual  truths  are  true  in  and  of  them- 
selves, and  no  amount  of  marvellous  attestation  can  make  a  false 
doctrine  true  or  a  true  doctrine  false.  "  Mighty  works  "  prove 
only  the  power  and  skill  of  the  workers,  whether  visible  or  invisi- 
ble— nothing  more.  If  the  works  are  good^  then  we  may  reason- 
ably infer  that  they  spring  from  beings  of  good-will  ;  if  evil,  then 
from  those  having  evil  design.  But  persons  moved  by  the  best 
intentions  may,  nevertheless,  be  mistaken  in  many  of  their  theoret- 
ical opinions.  It  may  yet  appear  that  the  possession  of  a  peculiar 
kind  or  quality  oi  faith  (not  correct  opinio7is  on  general  theological 
questions)  is  the  main  essential  requisite  for  the  enjoyment  of  the 
gift  of  healing. 

With  these  preliminaries,  we  will  quote  a  few  of  the  testimonies 
on  record  regarding  the  exercise  of  the  gift  of  healing  in  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  in  mediaeval  and  more  modern  times. 
After  mentioning  several  of  the'  female  "  saints  "  of  the  church 
who  manifested  remarkable  powers,  Mr.  Howitt  continues  : 

"  Such  also  was  St.  Hildegarde,  a  woman  of  wonderful  vision,  which  she 
was  commanded  by  an  inward  voice  to  communicate,  and  equally  wonderful 
powers  of  healing.  For  the  greater  part  of  her  life,  which  was  in  the  twelfth 
century,  she  was  confined  to  her  bed,  and  suffered  incredible  pains,  yet  she  be- 
came the  oracle  of  princes  and  bishops  by  her  spiritual  insight,  amounting  to 
actual  prophecy.  She  had  even  predicted  the  exact  time  of  her  own  death, 
though  she  lived  to  be  old.  She  possessed  the  same  faculty  as  Zschokke  in  re- 
cent times,  of  reading  the  innermost  thoughts — nay,  the  very  life,  past  and 
future,  of  those  she  was  in  company  with,  which,  liowever,  she  revealed  only  to 
her  confessor.  The  list  of  her  cures  is  extensive,  and  comprehends  a  variety  of 
diseases,  some  of  which  she  cured  at  a  distance  by  sending  to  the  patients  holy 
'  water.  She  had  the  faculty  also  of  appearing  to  persons  at  a  distance,  a 
phenomenon  which,  in  modern  times,  perhaps  has  astonished  psychologists  more 
than  any  other.  In  her  clairvoyant  state,  she  said  that  her  spirit-vision  knew  no 
bounds ;  it  extended  itself  over  various  nations,  however  distant.  *  These 
things,  however,'  she  said,  *  I  do  not  perceive  with  my  outer  eyes,  nor  hear  with 
my  external  ears,  nor  through  the  thoughts  of  my  heart,  nor  by  means  of  any 
comparison  of  my  five  senses ;  but  in  my  soul  alone,  with  open  eyes,  without  falling 
into  ecstasy  ;  for  I  see  them  in  my  waking  state,  by  day  and  by  night.'  " — History, 
Vol.  I.,  p.  494. 

Such  statements  may  seem  incredible  to  readers  who  have  never 


INTRODUCTION.  1 5 

experienced  or  witnessed  any  thing  of  the  kind  for  themselves.  But 
the  author  quoted  states  that  he  is  personally  acquainted  with 
ladies  possessing  similar  gifts  ;  so  also  is  the  editor  of  these  pages, 
and  so,  doubtless,  are  many  who  will  read  them.  Such  will  have 
no  difficulty  in  crediting  the  history  of  St.  Hildegarde.     Again  : 

"  The  Roman  Catholic  Church  can  enumerate  a  great  number  of  persons  en- 
dowed with  healing  powers.  Amongst  the  most  remarkable  of  such  therapeu- 
tists may  be  mentioned  the  following  : — St.  Patrick,  the  Irish  apostle  (claimed, 
however,  by  the  ancient  British  Church),  healed  the  blind  by  laying  on  of  his  hands. 
St.  Bernard  is  said  to  have  restored  eleven  blind  people  to  sight,  and  eighteen 
lame  persons, to  the  use  of  their  limbs,  in  one  day  at  Constance.  At  Cologne,  to 
have  healed  twelve  lame,  to  have  caused  three  dumb  persons  to  speak,  ten  who 
were  deaf  to  hear  ;  and  when  he  himself  was  ill,  St.  Laurence  and  St  Benedict 
are  said  to  have  appeared  to  him,  and  to  have  cured  him  by  touching  the  part 
affected.  Even  his  dishes  and  plates  are  said  to  have  cured  sickness  after  his 
death!*  Sts  Margaret.  Catherine,  Elizabeth,  Hildegarde,  and  especially  the 
holy  martyrs  Cosmas  and  Damianus,  belong  to  this  class.  Among  others  they 
freed  the  Emperor  Justinian  from  an  incurable  sickness.  St.  Odilia  embraced 
a  leper,  who  was  shunned  by  all  men,  warmed  him,  and  restored  him  to  health. 

"  The  saints  of  the  ancient  British  Church,  St.  Columbo,  St.  Columbanus, 
Aldan,  Scotus  Erigena,  Claude  Clement,  and  others,  possessed  the  like  divine 
power.  *  *  *  The  pious  Edward  the  Confessor  cured  diseases  by  the  touch  ; 
and  hence  the  practice  handed  down  till  recent  times  of  the  kings  of  England 
touching  for  the  king's  evil.  In  France  the  same  practice  was  inherited  from 
Philip  I.,  and  continued  till  the  Revolution.  Amongst  the  German  princes  this 
power  was  ascribed  to  those  of  the  house  of  Hapsburg,  and  they  are  said  to 
have  cured  stammering  by  a  kiss.  The  Salmadores  and  Ensalmadores  of  Spain 
were  celebrated  for  healing  almost  all  kinds  of  diseases  by  prayer  and  by  the 
breath.  Michael  Medina  and  the  child  of  Salamanca  performed  numerous  such 
cures;  and  the  innkeeper  Richter,  at  Royen  in  Silesia,  cured,  in  the  year  1817-18, 
many  thousands  of  sick  persons  in  the  open  field,  by  laying  on  of  hands." — lb. 
PP  505-6. 

A  more  recent  healer  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  was  a 
priest  by  the  name  of  Gassner,  who,  in  the  latter  half  of  the 
i8th  century,  created  an  intense  and  extensive  excitement  by  his 
remarkable  cures  in  Switzerland  : 

"  I  give  the  account  just  as  Dr.  Ennemoser  has  abridged  it  from  Dr.  Schlisel's 
narrative,  as  an  eye-witness  :  Gassner,  a  clergyman  from  the  country  of  Bludenz, 
in  Vorarlberg,   healed  many  diseases  through   exorcism.     In  the  year  1758  he 

♦This  is  no  more  wonderful  than  cures  by  "magnetized  letters,"  magnetized  (or  "holy") 
water,  or  other  articles,  in  modem  times,  of  which  we  shall  have  testimonies  in  the  following 
pages. — Ed. 


l6  INTRODUCTION. 

was  the  clergyman  of  Klosterle,  when,  by  his  exorcisms,  he  became  so  celebrated 
that  he  drew  a  vast  number  of  people  to  him.  The  flocking  of  the  sick  from 
Switzerland,  the  Tyrol,  and  Swabia,  is  said  to  have  been  so  great  that  the 
number  of  invalids  was  frequently  more  than  a  thousand,  and  they  were  many 
of  them  obliged  to  live  under  tents.     «     »     * 

"  Gassner's  mode  of  proceeding  was  as  follows  :  He  wore  a  scarlet  cloak, 
and  on  his  neck  a  silver  chain-  He  usually  had  in  his  room  a  window  on  his 
left  hand,  and  a  crucifix  on  his  right.  With  his  face  turned  towards  the  patient, 
he  touched  the  ailing  part,  and  commanded  that  the  disease  should  manifest 
itself ;  which  was  generally  the  case.  He  made  this  both  cease  and  depart  by  a 
single  command.  By  calling  on  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  through  the  faith  of  the 
patient,  he  drove  out  the  devil  and  the  disease.  But  every  one  that  desired  to 
be  healed  must  believe,  and  through  faith  any  clergyman  may  cure  devilish  dis- 
eases, spasms,  fainting,  madness,  &c.,  or  free  the  possessed.  Gassner  availed 
himself  sometimes  of  magnetic  manipulations  ;  he  touched  the  affected  part, 
covered  it  with  his  hand,  and  rubbed  therewith  vigorously  both  head  and  neck. 
*  *  *  Physical  susceptibility,  with  willing  faith  and  positive  physical  activity, 
through  the  command  of  the  Word,  was  thus  the  magical  cure  with  him  " — Vol. 
I.,  pp.  122-3. 

A  still  more  recent  case,  with  which  we  will  conclude  these 
citations  from  Roman  Catholic  sources,  was  that  of  the  Cure 
D'Ars,  near  Lyons,  in  France  : 

"The  Cure  D'Ars  died  early  in  1859.  He  had  for  above  thirty  years  aston- 
ished all  France  by  the  continued  series  of  miracles  occurring  through  him  in  his 
parish  of  Ars,  not  far  from  Lyons."  "  His  cures  were  so  marvellous  that  omni- 
buses were  established  to  run  regularly  from  Lyons  to  his  house."  .... 
"The  Cure  was  hotly  opposed  and  calumniated  for  a  long  time,  even  by  his  fel- 
low-clergymen. The  miraculous  events  continually  taking  place  at  Ars  were 
represented  as  impudent  impostures,  and  he  was  assailed  as  a  hypocrite,  a  cheat, 
a  fanatic;  in  short,  he  went  through  the  usual  ordeal  on  all  such  occasions.  Yet 
the  bitterest  enemies  were  compelled  to  confess  themselves  mistaken  after  proper 
examination  ;  and  the  facts  related  in  his  history  were  familiar  to  hundreds  of 
thousands,  and  made  fully  known  in  the  face  of  all  France.  For  thirty  years, 
20,000  persons  annually,  of  all  ranks,  and  from  every  country  in  Europe,  flocked 
to  Ars.  His  church  was  densely  crowded  day  and  night;  and  the  Cure,  it  is 
asserted,  allowed  himself  only  four  hours'  sleep  each  night,  his  endurance  being 
the  greatest  miracle.  These  are  not  facts  of  the  past,  but  of  the  present  age, 
capable  of  being  tested." — lb.,  pp.  514-15- 

HEALERS    IN    THE    PROTESTANT    CHURCH. MARTIN    LUTHER. 

Closing  these  citations  of  testimony  relative  to  the  elder  branches 
of  the  Christian  Church — not  for  lack  of  material,  but  for  want  of 
space — let  us  turn  to  the  more  modern  Protestant  section.     Here 


INTRODUCTION.  1/ 

we  shall  find  that  the  leading  spirits  of  the  Reformation,  in  their 
undiscriminating  zeal  against  the  many  superstitious  follies  and 
falsities  of  Rome,  unfortunately  rushed  to  the  opposite  extreme. 
Assuming  the  position  that  all  "  miracles  "  or  "  spiritual  gifts  " 
ceased  with  or  soon  after  the  apostolic  age — a  position  which  closed 
their  own  minds,  and  those  of  their  adherents  to  a  large  extent, 
against  that  "  faith  "  which  is  a  necessary  condition  of  these  "gifts" 
— they  paved  the  way  for  that  skeptical  materialistic  philosophy 
which  has  so  generally  prevailed  in  Protestant  communities.  "  So 
profoundly,"  says  Howitt,  "  was  Luther  himself  frightened  at  the 
very  name  of  miracle,  that  he  would  not  admit  it,  or  even  talk  of  it 
as  existing  in  the  church,  if  he  could  avoid  it."  Yet,  like  many 
religious  people  of  the  present  time,  he  was  ready  to  ascribe  to 
"  the  Devil  "  all  sorts  of  miracles — any  thing  in  fact,  good  or  evil, 
which,  to  his  limited  knowledge,  seemed  a  little  out  of  the  ordinary 
course  of  events.  "  In  the  *  Tischreden,'  or  '  Table-Talk  '  of  Luther, 
written  down  and  published  by  his  friends,  we  have  some  scores  of 
pages  relating  to  the  personal  appearances  of  the  Devil  to  Luther, 
and  of  his  conversations  with  him,  and  the  Reformer's  defiances  of 
him.  Luther  saw  devils  in  every  thing.  He  saw  them  in  tempests, 
in  diseases,  in  calamities.'* 

Nevertheless,  even  Luther,  in  some  marked  cases  of  emergency, 
exercised  the  healing  gift,  in  connection  with  prayer. 

"  It  is  related  by  Leckendoye,  on  the  authority  of  Solomon  Glasse,  Superin- 
tendent-General of  Gotha,  that  Philip  Melancthon  was  recalled  from  the  verge 
of  death  by  Luther's  prayers.  *  Luther  arrived,  and  found  Philip  about  to  give 
up  the  ghost.  His  eyes  were  set,  his  understanding  was  almost  gone,  his  speech 
had  failed,  and  also  his  hearing ;  his  face  had  fallen ;  he  knew  no  one,  and  had 
ceased  to  take  either  solids  or  liquids.  At  this  spectacle  Luther  is  filled  with  the 
utmost  consternation — turning  away  towards  the  window,  he  called  most  devoutly 
upon  God.  After  this,  taking  the  hand  of  Philip,  and  well  knowing  what  was  the 
anxiety  of  his  heart  and  conscience,  he  said,  "Be  of  good  courage,  Philip;  thou 
shalt  not  die."  While  he  utters  these  things,  Philip  begins,  as  it  were,  to  revive 
and  to  breathe,  and,  gradually  recovering  his  strength,  is  at  last  restored  to 
health.'  Melancthon,  writing  to  a  friend,  said,  '  I  should  have  been  a  dead  man, 
had  I  not  been  recalled  from  death  by  the  coming  of  Luther.' 

"  A  similar  detention  in  life,  of  Myconius,  by  Luther's  prayers,  is  recorded ; 
and  that  six  years  afterwards  Myconius,  being  again  at  the  point  of  death,  sent  a 
message  to  Luther  desiring  him  this  time  not  to  detain  him  by  his  prayers."— 
History,  Vol.  II.  p.  98. 

2 


I8  INTRODUCTION. 

IN   THE   ENGLISH   CHURCH. — GREATRAKES. 

The  leading  minds  of  English  Protestantism  accepted  the  same 
dogma  with  Luther,  as  to  the  cessation  of  spiritual  gifts,  with  per- 
haps somewhat  less  of  his  proneness  to  recognize  the  Devil ;  and 
coalescing  substantially  with  philosophers  of  the  rationalistic  school 
as  to  all  modern  miracles,  so-called,  they  have  aided  in  imparting  a 
skeptical  and  Sadducean  tone  to  the  general  mind,  within  as  well 
as  without  the  church,  which  prevails  to  this  day  in  both  England 
and  America. 

But  neither  Luther's  childish  dread  of  "  the  Devil,"  nor  the 
Sadduceeism  of  Protestant  divines,  has  had  the  effect  to  wholly  bar 
the  gates  against  "  demonstrations  of  the  spirit,"  either  in  healing 
disease  or  in  other  forms.  Whenever  the  proper  "  faith  "  has  ex- 
isted, the  "  works  "  have  followed. 

One  of  the  most  noted  instruments  of  the  healing  power  on 
record,  in  Britain,  was  Mr.  Valentine  Greatrakes,  of  Affane,  in  the 
county  of  Waterford,  Ireland. 

"  Mr.  Greatrakes  was  a  Protestant  gentleman,  who  had  been  a  lieutenant  in 
the  Earl  of  Orrery's  regiment  of  horse,  but  had  retired  to  his  ancestral  estate  at 
Affane,  and  was  clerk  of  the  peace  for  the  county  of  Cork,  registrar  for  planta- 
tions, and  justice  of  the  peace.  In  a  letter  to  the  Hon.  Robert  Boyle,  he  states 
that,  in  the  year  1662,  he  had  an  impulse,  or  strong  persuasion  in  his  mind,  for 
which  he  could  not  account,  that  the  gift  of  healing  the  king's  evil  [scrofula]  was 
conferred  upon  him.  He  mentioned  it  to  his  wife,  but  she  thought  it  a  strange 
imagination.  Mrs.  Greatrakes.  however,  had  acted,  as  many  ladies  then  did,  as 
country  doctress  to  her  humble  neighbors,  and  a  tenant  of  Robert  Boyle's  brother, 
the  Earl  of  Burlington  and  Cork,  brought  his  son  to  her.  Mrs.  Greatrakes  found 
him  very  much  aflflicted  with  king's  evil  about  the  neck  and  face,  and  told  her 
husband,  who  said  she  should  now  see  whether  it  was  a  mere  fancy  which  pos- 
sessed him.  He  laid  his  hands  on  the  affected  parts,  prayed  to  God  to  heal  him, 
in  a  few  days  found  him  wonderfully  amended,  and  in  a  second  application  he 
was  perfectly  cured.  He  continued  this  practice  for  three  years,  not  meddling 
with  any  other  distempers  ;  but  the  ague  becoming  frequent  in  the  neighborhood, 
he  felt  impressed  to  cure  it,  and  succeeded  to  his  astonishment.  He  now  extended 
his  practice  to  all  kinds  of  complaints,  and  cured  great  numbers,  but  not  all.     .    . 

"  His  fame  spread  all  over  Ireland  ;  and  in  1666  the  Earl  of  Orrery  persuaded 
him  to  come  to  England,  to  cure  Lady  Conway  of  an  obstinate  headache.  His 
plan  was  purely  apostolic ;  he  put  his  hands  on  the  diseased  parts,  and  prayed 
to  God  to  heal  the  sufferer,  and  when  it  took  place,  he  gave  God  thanks  for  it. 
He  never  accepted  any  remuneration  for  his  cures.  It  was  remarkable  that  in 
Lady  Conway's  case  he  could  do  nothing  ;  but  during  his  abode  at  Ragley,  the 


INTRODUCTION.        '  I9 

seat  of  Lord  Conway,  where  he  remained  a  month,  he  laid  his  hands  upon  more 
than  a  thousand  persons  from  the  country  round,  and  performed  many  wonder- 
ful cures.  The  Bishop  of  Dromore  was  there  most  of  the  time,  and  bears  testi- 
mony to  his  marvellous  cures.  *I  have  seen,'  says  the  Bishop,  'pains  fly 
strangely  before  his  hands,  till  he  had  chased  them  out  of  the  body ;  dimness 
cleared,  and  deafness  cured  by  his  touch.  Twenty  persons,  at  several  times,  in 
fits  of  the  falling  sickness,  were,  in  two  or  three  minutes,  brought  to  themselves, 
so  as  to  tell  where  their  pain  was,  and  then  he  hath  pursued  it  until  he  hath  driven 
it  out  at  some  extreme  point.  Running  sores  of  the  king's  evil  were  dried  up, 
and  kernels  were  brought  to  a  suppuration  by  his  hand ;  grievous  sores,  of  many 
months'  date,  in  a  few  days  healed,  obstructions  and  stoppings  removed,  and 
cancerous  knots  dissolved  in  the  breast,'  etc.    *    *    * 

"  At  Worcester,  Greatrakes'  success  was  equally  remarkable ;  and  by  com- 
mand of  Lord  Arlington  he  came  up  to  court  [London].  He  then  took  a  house  in 
Lincoln's-Inn-Fields,  and  for  many  months  continued  there,  performing  the 
nrost  extraordinary  cures.  As  he  was  assailed,  as  a  matter  of  course,  by  all  sorts 
of  calumnies,  especially  from  the  medical  men,  he  published  an  account,  before 
leaving  London,  of  all  whom  he  had  cured,  with  the  names  and  abodes  of  the  in- 
dividuals. Besides  this,  the  most  distinguished  men,  physicians  and  others,  at- 
tested, from  personal  knowledge,  his  cures  "  [Here  follows  a  list  of  titled  wit- 
nesses, which  it  is  not  necessary  to  quote.] — Ibid.^  Vol.  IL  pp.  169-71. 

AMONG   THE   QUAKERS. 

It  is  a  significant  fact  that  of  the  minor  sects  which  have  sprung 
up  within  the  bounds  of  Protestantism,  those  which  have  had  their 
origin  in  a  markedly  spiritual  impulse,  or  an  awakening  of  the  in- 
ner life  of  individuals, — as  distinguished  from  such  as  have  arisen 
chiefly  from  intellectual  controversies  about  doctrines  and  forms, — 
have  enjoyed  yj7r  a  time  the  "  gifts  of  the  spirit,"  including  healing, 
in  a  marked  degree.  As  these  sects  have  grown  older,  and  settled 
more  into  organizations,  with  sharply  defined  creeds  and  formularies, 
such  "  gifts "  have  declined  and  been  measurably  lost.  As  it 
was  with  Christianity  as  a  whole,  so  has  it  been  in  general  with  its 
several  divisions. 

Of  the  sects  referred  to,  the  Friends  or  Quakers,  the  Methodists, 
the  Shakers,  and  some  others,  are  noted  examples. 

George  Fox  and  his  associates,  who  were  the  originators  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  claimed  to  be  specially  illuminated  and  guided 
by  "  the  Spirit,"  and  they  exhibited  remarkable  healing  powers. 
In  fact,  healing  the  sick  by  laying  on  of  hands  and  prayer  were  so 
common  as  to  be  mentioned  only  incidentally  in  their  journals. 
Among  the  cures  related  are  the  following ; 


20  INTRODUCTION. 

"  At  Twycross  he  [George  Fox]  restored  a  person  who  was  ill,  by  prayer. 
*  There  being  in  that  town  a  great  man,  who  had  long  lain  sick,  and  was  given 
over  by  the  physicians,  he  went  to  visit  him  in  his  chamber;  and  having 
spoken  some  words  to  him,  he  was  moved  to  pray  by  his  bedside,  and  the  Lord 
was  entreated,  so  that  the  sick  man  was  restored.'  A  still  more  remarkable  case 
is  recorded  by  him  in  his  *  Journal.'  '  After  some  time  I  went  to  a  meeting  at 
Arnside,  where  Richard  Myer  was,  who  had  been  long  lame  of  one  of  his  arms. 
I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  say  unto  him,  amongst  all  the  people,  "  Stand  upon 
thy  legs ;  "  and  he  stood  up,  and  stretched  out  his  arm  that  had  been  lame  a  long 
time,  and  said,  "  Be  it  known  unto  you,  all  people,  that  this  day  I  am  healed." 
Yet  his  parents  would  hardly  believe  it;  but,  after  the  meeting  was  done,  they 
had  him  aside,  took  off  his  doublet,  and  then  saw  it  was  true.' 

"  These  cures  by  spirit-power  Fox  regarded  but  as  incidental  objects  of  his 
mission ;  but  we  should  have  been  glad  to  have  had  the  particular  record  of 
others  ;  for  such  there  were,  and  numerous  ones,  according  to  his  account.  *  Many 
great  and  wonderful  things  were  wrought  by  the  heavenly  power  in  those  days  ; 
for  the  Lord  laid  bare  His  omnipotent  arm,  and  manifested  His  power  to  the 
astonishment  of  many,  by  the  healing  virtue  whereof  many  have  been  delivered 
from  great  infirmities,  and  the  devils  are  made  subject  to  his  name,  of  which 
particular  instances  might  be  given  beyond  what  this  unbelieving  age  is  able  to  re- 
ceive or  bear.'  Still  we  have  a  considerable  number  of  instances  of  the  healing 
power  of  God  exerted  in  the  early  history  of  the  Friends.  At  Ulverstone,  Saw- 
trey,  the  justice  of  the  peace,  set  the  people  upon  George  Fox,  who  beat  him  so 
terribly  with  cudgels  that  he  fell  senseless  on  the  common  to  which  they  had 
dragged  him ;  but,  recovering  again,  and  being  strengthened  by  immediate  power 
he  stood  up,  and,  stretching  out  his  arms,  said  with  a  loud  voice,  *  Strike  again, 
here  are  my  arms,  my  head,  and  my  cheeks.'  Then  a  mason  gave  him  such  a 
heavy  blow  over  the  back  of  his  hand  with  his  rule  that  it  was  much  bruised,  and 
his  arm  so  benumbed  that  he  could  not  draw  it  to  him  again,  so  that  some  of  the 
people  cried  out,  "  He  has  spoiled  his  hand  forever."  But  he,  being  preserved 
through  the  love  of  God,  stood  still,  and  after  awhile  felt  such  extraordinary 
strengthening  power  that  he  instantly  recovered  the  vigor  of  his  hand  and  arm.' 

"  Miles  Halhead,  one  of  their  preachers,  '  was  so  beaten  and  abused  at  Skip- 
ton,  that  he  was  laid  for  dead ;  nevertheless,  by  the  Lord's  power,  he  was  healed 
of  all  his  bruises  ;  and  within  three  hours  he  was  healthy  and  sound  again,  to  the 
astonishment  of  those  that  had  so  abused  him,  and  to  the  convincing  of  many.* 
Soon  after  the  same  undaunted  soldier  of  Christ  was  attacked  by  a  mob  at  Don- 
caster,  which  was  again  urged  on  by  the  priest;  was  once  more  knocked  down, 
and  beaten,  as  was  supposed,  to  death.  In  the  evening,  however,  he  entered  a 
chapel,  and,  sorely  bruised  as  he  was,  he  preached,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  his 
discourse  *  the  Lord  made  him  sound  of  all  his  bruises.'  William  Dewsbury, 
another  eminent  Quaker  minister,  was  set  upon  at  Coldbeck,  and  was  nearly  killed 
by  the  mob  \  but  *  was  healed  in  the  same  astonishing  manner.* " — Howiit,  Hist. 
Sup.,  IL,  315-17. 


INTRODUCTION.  21 

The  following  is  given  in  Marsh's  Life  of  George  Fox,  as  having 
occurred  during  his  visit  to  America : 

"  Being  on  the  point  of  proceeding  from  New  Jersey  to  Maryland,  his  pres- 
ence of  mind  was  called  forth  by  an  accident  which  had  nearly  deprived  him  of 
his  companion,  John  Jay,  who  had  accompanied  him  from  Barbadoes,  at  which 
island  he  resided.  While  in  the  act  of  tying  a  horse  for  their  journey,  he  was 
thrown  from  it,  and  fell  with  such  violence  upon  his  head,  that  those  who  beheld 
the  fall,  and  took  him  up,  exclaimed  that  he  was  dead,  and  that  his  neck  was 
broken.  George  Fox  says  [in  his  Journal],  '  I  got  to  him  as  soon  as  I  could, 
and  feeling  him,  concluded  he  was  dead.  And  as  I  stood  pitying  him  and  his 
family,  I  took  hold  of  his  hair,  and  his  head  turned  any  way,  his  neck  was  so 
pliant.  Whereupon  I  took  his  head  in  both  my  hands,  and  setting  my  knees 
against  a  tree,  I  raised  his  head,  and  perceived  there  was  nothing  broken  that 
way.  Then  I  put  one  hand  under  his  chin,  and  the  other  behind  his  head,  and 
in  this  manner  raised  his  head  two  or  three  times  with  all  my  strength,  and 
brought  it  in.  I  soon  perceived  his  neck  began  to  grow  stiff  again,  and  then  he 
began  to  rattle  in  his  throat,  and  quickly  after  to  breathe.  The  people  were 
amazed ;  but  I  bid  them  have  a  good  heart,  be  of  good  faith,  and  carry  him  into 
the  house.  They  did  so,  and  sat  him  by  a  fire.  I  bid  them  get  him  something 
warm  to  drink,  and  put  him  to  bed.  The  next  day  we  commenced  our  journey 
together,  which  he  bore  pretty  well,  and  travelled  about  sixteen  miles,  through 
woods  and  bogs,  and  over  a  river,  where  we  swam  our  horses,  and  got  over  our- 
selves in  a  hollow  tree.'" — p.  319. 

AMONG    THE    AIETHODISTS. 

The  preaching  of  the  Wesleys  and  of  Whitefield,  in  England 
(1740-50),  which  gave  rise  to  Methodism,  was  attended  by  "  de- 
monstrations of  the  spirit  and  of  power"  evidently  akin  to  those  of 
apostolic  days.  And  accordingly  we  find  that  "  Wesley  healed  the 
sick  by  prayer  and  laying  on  of  hands.  He  and  some  others  joined 
in  prayer  over  a  man  who  was  not  expected  to  live  till  morning  ;  he 
was  speechless,  senseless,  and  his  pulse  was  gone.  Before  they 
ceased,  his  senses  and  speech  returned.     He  recovered." 

*  *  *  «  Warburton  [a  Bishop  of  the  English  Church]  attacked  Wesley's 
belief  in  miraculous  cures  and  expulsion  of  evil  spirits  ;  but  Wesley  replied  that 
what  he  had  seen  with  his  own  eyes,  he  was  bound  to  believe ;  the  bishop  could 
believe  or  not  as  he  pleased.  Wesley  records  the  instantaneous  cure  of  a  woman 
named  Mary  Special,  of  a  cancer  in  both  breasts." — Howitt,  II.,  pp.  389-90. 

John  Fletcher  was  another  of  the  early  preachers  of  Methodism  : 

"  One  morning  Mr.  Fletcher  had  set  out  into  the  country  to  visit  an  eminently 
pious  clergyman.     When  he  had  walked  several  miles,  he  saw  a  great  crowd 


22  INTRODUCTION. 

collected  at  the  door  of  a  house,  and  found  that  a  poor  woman  and  child  were 
dying.  The  woman  had  been  only  recently  confined ;  she  appeared  very  near 
death  ;  and  little  better  was  the  case  of  the  infant,  which  was  convulsed  from 
head  to  foot.  The  room  was  filled  with  people.  He  spoke  to  them  of  the 
power  of  God  to  forgive  sins  and  raise  the  dead  ;  and  he  then  prayed  that  He 
would  save  both  the  sufferers  and  the  spectators.  Whilst  he  prayed,  the  child's 
convulsions  ceased,  and  the  mother  became  easy,  then  cheerful,  then  strong. 
The  people  were  amazed,  and  stood  speechless,  and  almost  senseless  !  Whilst 
they  were  in  this  state  he  silently  withdrew." — Id.,  p.  397. 

AMONG   THE    SHAKERS. 

The  Shakers,  whose  origin  (about  1776)  in  this  country  was 
attended  with  demonstrations  of  spiritual  power  of  a  somewhat 
peculiar  kind,  have  on  record  numerous  well-attested  cases  of  heal- 
ing, of  a  marvellous  character,  occurring  in  their  early  days.  From 
a  volume  entitled  "  Christ's  First  and  Second  Appearing,  Pub- 
lished by  the  United  Society  called  Shakers  "  (fourth  edition),  we 
condense  the  following  statements,  as  samples  of  many  more  : 

Noah  Wheaten,  of  New  Lebanon,  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
aged  sixty-four  years,  testifies  that  in  the  year  1780,  in  jumping 
from  a  high  fence,  he  had  the  misfortune  to  dislocate  his  ankle  and 
break  or  split  the  outer  bone  of  his  leg  just  above  the  ankle-joint ; 
that  after  a  time  he  crawled  home  on  his  hands  and  knees,  suffer- 
ing intense  pain,  which  continued  until  the  evening  of  the  follow- 
'  ing  day — the  ankle  in  the  mean  time  swelling  greatly,  and  turning 
black.  Believing  in  "  the  gift  of  miracles,"  he  refused  to  have  any 
ordinary  means  of  relief  applied  to  it.  "  At  length,  as  his  family, 
consisting  of  ten  in  number,  were  assembled  at  their  evening  wor- 
ship, in  the  room  where  he  was  sitting  upon  a  chest,  the  power  of 
God  came  suddenly  upon  him,  and  he  was  instantly  hurled  from 
his  seat,  and  set  upon  his  feet,  and  whirled  swiftly  round  like  a 
top,  for  the  space  of  two  hours,  without  the  least  pain  or  incon- 
venience. He  then  retired  to  rest,  well  and  comfortable,  and  the 
next  morning  arose  in  health,  took  his  team  and  went  to  plowing." 

Sarah  Kibbee,  of  New  Lebanon,  testifies  that  from  childhood 
she  had  suffered  from  a  disease  which  finally  settled  in  her  left 
foot ;  the  foot  and  leg  withered,  the  cords  becoming  so  contracted 
that  she  was  unable  to  straighten  her  leg,  or  set  her  foot  on  the 
floor,  and  used  crutches  altogether  for  a  year  and  a  half.     In  1781, 


INTRODUCTION.  23 

being  then  in  her  i6th  year,  she  went  with  Noah  Wheaten  to 
Niskeuna  (now  Watervliet),  where  Mothef  Ann  Lee  and  the  elders 
then  resided.  At  that  time  she  had  "  no  faith  in  the  testimony  of 
the  people,"  but  efforts  being  made  in»her  behalf,  she  "received 
faith  and  confessed  her  sins."  The  next  day,  Elder  William  Lee 
came  into  the  room  where  she  was  sitting,  "  took  hold  of  her  foot 
and  stroked  it  with  his  hands,  saying,  According  io  thy  faith,  so  be  it 
tcnto  thee.  Soon  after.  Mother  Ann  came  into  the  room  and  bade 
Yi&x  put  away  her  wooden  staves  a?id  lean  upon  Christ.  She  imme- 
diately received  strength,  laid  away  her  crutches,  and  has  never 
used  any  since,  but  was  restored  to  perfect  soundness,  so  that  her 
foot  and  leg,  which  before  was  at  least  one  quarter  less  than  the 
other,  was  in  every  respect  restored  equal  with  the  other." 

Phebe  Spencer,  of  New  Lebanon,  testifies  to  having  been  sud- 
denly restored  from  the  effects  consequent  upon  the  breaking  of 
her  ribs  by  a  fall  through  a  broken  bridge,  after  several  days  of 
severe  suffering,  by  "  the  power  of  God,"  apparently  communicated 
by  a  touch  from  the  hand  of  Elder  Hezekiah  Hammond. 

Richard  Treat,  of  the  same  place,  narrates  the  marvellous 
restoration  to  life  and  health  of  his  son  Truman,  when  about 
fifteen  months  old,  and  near  dying  from  a  violent  illness, — the 
means  used  being  "  the  power  of  God,"  communicated  to  the  hand 
of  the  father  by  Elder  John  Hocknell,  then  at  Hancock,  "  over  the 
mountain,"  and  by  the  father  carried  to  the  child,  some  miles 
distant.  The  father  having  applied  to  the  Elder  for  help,  and 
received  this  "  gift,"  had  returned  home  somewhat  doubtingly,  but 
on  entering  his  house  "  was  suddenly  seized  by  the  power  of  God, 
in  the  same  manner  that  Elder  H.  had  been,"  and  going  to  the 
child,  laid  his  hand  upon  it.  "  The  child  immediately  came  to  his 
senses,  laughed,  and  appeared  bright  and  lively,"  and  continued 
so,  without  any  return  of  his  disoVder. 

Passing  several  cases  equally  remarkable,  we  will  add  only  the 
following,  which  seems  entitled  to  be  termed  miraculous,  if  any 
event  can  be  : 

Mary  and  Gideon  Turner,  of  New  Lebanon,  jointly  testify 
that  their  son  Jonathan,  nine  or  ten  years  of  age,  while  chopping 
wood  at  a  distance  from  home,  received  a  very  bad  wound  from 
the  axe  on  the  top  of  his  foot.     The  father  states  that  it  was  so 


24  INTRODUCTION. 

large  he  could  lay  his  finger  at  length  in  it.  When  he  was  brought 
home,  the  mother,  seeing  it  bleed  excessively,  was  greatly  troubled, 
not  knowing  what  to  do  for  it.  "  She  went  into  another  room, 
kneeled  down  and  cried  to  God,  and  soon  felt  the  power  of  God 
run  down  her  arm  into  her  right  hand — instantly  her  hand  seemed 
to  be  filled  with  the  power  of  God,  accompanied  with  such  a  delicious 
balsamic  smell  as  she  was  unable  to  describe.  Feeling  confident 
that  it  was  a  gift  of  healing  for  her  son,  she  r<;turned  directly  into 
the  room  and  put  her  hand  on  the  wound,  and  it  instantly  ceased 
bleeding.  She  then  walked  the  floor  ;  came  again  and  laid  on  her 
hand  a  second  time ;  this  she  repeated  seven  times,  gently  strok- 
ing the  wound,  during  which  time  it  closed  up  and  was  healed, 
leaving  only  a  small  seam."  The  fathei  declares  that  while  the 
mother  "  was  stroking  the  wound,  he  saw  the  flesh  gradually  gather 
and  close  up,  leaving  only  a  small  red  streak  about  the  size  of  a 
knitting-needle."     The  healing  was  immediate  and  complete. 

The  foregoing  statements  were  all  made  and  signed  in  the 
presence  of  witnesses  whose  names  are  given,  some  of  whom 
were  also  witnesses  of  the  cures  performed.  Their  affirmations 
have  all  the  solemnity  of  oaths ;  and  their  testimonies  were  first 
published  in  the  year  1808,  while  the  witnesses  were  living.  There 
seems,  therefore,  no  reasonable  ground  on  which  to  question  their 
authenticity.  (For  full  particulars,  see  the  volume  referred  to, 
pages  416  to  426.) 

AMONG  THE   IRVINGITES. 

A  more  recent  illustration  is  that  of  the  Irvingites,  so  called — 
adherents  of  Rev.  Edward  Irving,  an  eloquent  and  popular  cler- 
gyman in  London,  from  1827  to  1830  and  later — among  whom 
various  "gifts  of  the  spirit "  were  manifested. 

We  quote  again  from  Howitt : 

"  But  not  only  unknown  tongues,  but  known  tongues  (Hebrew,  Greek,  Span- 
ish and  Italian,  amongst  others),  were  spoken  correctly  by  persons  who  naturally 
knew  nothing  of  them.  The  spirit  of  prophecy  was  manifested,  and  the  first 
visit  of  the  cholera  was  distinctly  predicted,  and  arrived  in  the  following  summer. 
Still  more,  many  persons  were  healed  by  prayer  and  laying  on  of  hands.  Many 
cases  are  recorded.  Miss  Fancourt,  the  daughter  of  a  clergyman,  had  been  a 
hopeless  cripple  for  eight  years.     She  had  curvature  of  the  spine,  an  enlargement 


INTRODUCTION.  2$ 

of  one  collar-bone,  disease  in  nearly  every  joint,  and  was  utterly  incapable  of 
walking.  The  medical  men  had  tried  every  possible  remedy  upon  her.  She  had 
truly  'suffered  many  things  of  many  physicians,'— blisters,  leeching,  setons, 
bleeding,  caustics,  sea  and  warm  baths  ;  but  all  in  vain  ;  and  the  doctors 
declared  her  case  so  thoroughly  organic  that  it  was  hopeless.  Through  the 
prayer  of  Mr.  Greaves,  one  of  Irving's  congregation,  she  was  suddenly  and  per- 
fectly healed.  Her  father  publicly  attested  the  perfect  cure  ;  she  did  the  same 
in  the  *  Christian  Observer,'  and  that  she  was  become  quite  straight,  her  collar- 
bones quite  equal  in  size,  and  she  altogether  healthy  and  well.  A  Mrs.  Maxwell, 
who  had  been  lame  twenty-four  years,  and  whose  case  was  pronounced  equally 
hopeless,  became  suddenly  quite  sound.  A  little  girl  of  about  eleven  years  of 
age,  with  curved  spine,  diseased  knee,  and  also  pronounced  incurable  by  the 
faculty,  was  perfectly  cured  by  earnest  prayer.  These  and  like  cases  were 
attested  by  the  parties,  by  medical  men  and  clergymen." — Vol.  II.,  pp.  422-3. 

IN    CHRISTIAN    CHURCHES    OF    OUR    OWN    DAY. 

Still  later,  and  in  our  own  country,  about  twenty  years  since,  a 
remarkable  work  appeared,  entitled  "  Nature  and  the  Supernatural,'* 
from  the  pen  of  Rev.  Horace  Bushnell,  D.D.,  of  Hartford,  Conn., 
of  the  Orthodox  Congregationalist  communion,  in  which  that  dis- 
tinguished divine  strongly  maintained  the  continuity  of  "  gifts  of 
the  Spirit,"  and  bore  witness  to  several  notable  cases  of  healing  by 
direct  spiritual  agency  occurring  within  his  own  personal  knowl- 
edge. The  reader  is  referred  to  the  work  in  question  for  the  de- 
tails. 

More  recently,  the  religious  and  secular  press  of  the  country 
have  given  currency  to  a  number  of  apparently  well-attested  in- 
stances of  remarkable  cures,  wrought  by  invisible  agencies,  in  con- 
nection with  faith  and  prayer  on  the  part  of  Christian  people.  The 
following  are  examples : 

The  late  President  Finney,  of  Oberlin  College,  m  a  letter  to 
the  Chicago  Advance,  testifies  that  a  Mrs.  Miller,  wife  of  a  Congre- 
gationalist clergyman,  was  instantly  cured  of  chronic  rheumatism, 
after  having  been  a  cripple  for  seven  years. 

A  daughter  of  Rev.  Alfred  Connet,  of  the  Congregational 
church,  of  Carbondale,  Osage  Co.  [Ind.  ?],  about  eight  years  old, 
is  stated  to  have  been  instantaneously  cured  of  sciatic  rheumatism, 
or  hip  disease,  by  which  her  limb  vas  drawn  up  and  shrunken, 
accompanied  by  intense  suffering.  This  was  said  to  have  been  in 
answer  to  a  "  prayer  of  faith  "  by  her  mother. 


26  INTRODUCTION. 

Mrs.  Sherman,  wife  of  Rev.  Moses  Sherman,  a  Methodist  cler- 
gyman, of  Piermont,  N.  H.,  claims  to  have  been  most  wonderfully 
cured  of  spinal  disease,  with  a  disabled  knee,  neuralgia,  and  other 
severe  afflictions,  by  a  "  Presence  "  who  came  to  her  bedside  by 
night  and  breathed  upon  her  a  healing  influence. 

Mrs.  M.  A.  Burress,  of  Mansfield,  Ohio  (Methodist),  after 
having  been  confined  to  her  bed  for  nine  years,  by  a  disease  which 
baffled  the  skill  of  thirty-eight  different  physicians,  was  suddenly 
raised  up  and  restored  while  a  circle  of  friends  were  praying 
around  her. 

Miss  Minnie  H.  Walters,  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.  (Methodist),  re- 
lated at  a  camp-meeting  at  Oakland,  Cumberland  Co.,  in  1875, 
that  she  had  been  cured  of  a  severe  spinal  disease,  after  having 
Iain  helpless  for  thirteen  months.  In  answer  to  her  own  earnest 
prayers,  the  words  came  to  her,  "  Rise  up  and  walk,"  when  she 
found  herself  suddenly  restored.  Her  statement  was  corroborated 
by  four  other  persons  acquainted  with  the  circumstances. 

Rev.  S.  H.  Piatt,  a  Methodist  clergyman,  and  author  of  some 
note,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  claims  to  have  been  cured  of  a  lameness 
in  the  knees,  of  twenty-five  years'  continuance  in  one  knee,  and 
three  years  in  the  other,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  and  prayer  of  a 
young  woman  (Miss  Moseman)  who  said  she  was  "  sent  by  the 
Lord  to  see  him,"  and  to  tell  him  that  "  he  might  be  cured  of  his 
lameness  if  he  would  only  believe."  * 

Such  are  some  of  the  evidences,  from  credible  Christian  sources, 
going  to  sustain  the  position  we  have  assumed — namely,  that  the 
marvellous  healing  power  and  other  "  spiritual  gifts  "  displayed  in 
the  primitive  Christian  Church  have  never  been  "  withdrawn  "  from 
or  wholly  lost  to  the  world,  but  have  continued  to  be  enjoyed  when- 
ever and  wherever  the  requisite  human  conditions  have  existed  for 
their  exercise.  In  other  words,  that  the  popular  theory  of  Protest- 
ants on  this  subject,  by  which  their  minds  are  so  generally  closed 
against  the  credence  of  facts  of  this  class,  is  a  total  mistake. 

The  way  is  thus  prepared  for  the  extraordinary  history  which 
forms  the  main  portion  of  this  work. 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Piatt  has  published  a  pamphlet  entitled  "  My  2f,ih  Year  Jubilee,  or  Cure  by 
Faith"  in  which  he  has  embodied  not  only  the  details  of  his  own  case,  but  those  of  several  others 
above  referred  to. 


INTRODUCTION.  2/ 

In  the  chapters  which  follow,  will  be  presented  an  overwhelming 
mass  of  testimony,  from  a  great  variety  of  sources,  proving  incon- 
testably,  as  js  believed,  that  the  gift  of  healing  is  in  exercise,  with 
marvellous  power,  among  us  in  this  Ni7ietee7iih  Ce?itury  of  the  Christian 
era — that  in  so  far  as  it  has  been  in  any  measure  lost  or  discredited 
through  the  unbelief  and  errors  of  previous  times,  //  is  now  being 
RESTORED,  to  the  great  joy  and  blessing  of  suffering  humanity. 

At  appropriate  points  in  the  narrative,  occasion  will  be  taken 
to  introduce  suggestions  from  different  quarters  as  to  the  nature 
and  source  of  this  Healing  Power,  and  its  identity  with  that  of  the 
primitive  Christian  age ;  and  an  attempt  will  be  made  to  set  forth  a 
rational  philosophy  of  Faith  as  a  curative  agent,  frequently  required 
of  adults  as  a  condition  of  healing ;  also  the  reasons  of  failure  to 
cure  in  many  instances — the  whole  tending  to  relieve  the  subject 
of  that  air  of  mystery  and  "  miracle  "  which  attaches  to  it  in  the 
popular  mind. 

Most  of  the  cases  placed  on  record  in  the  following  pages  have 
been  before  published  (many  of  them  some  years  since)  in  the 
vicinities  where  they  occurred — thus  affording  ample  opportunity  to 
call  in  question  the  accuracy  of  any  statement  not  well  founded. 
No  testimony  is  here  reproduced  that  is  known  to  have  been  in  any 
respect  invalidated.  A  large  number  of  the  testimonies,  as  wdll  be 
seen,  are  in  the  form  of  sworn  affidavits  of  the  parties  concerned, 
made  after  the  lapse  of  a  sufficient  time  to  test  the  permanency  of 
the  cures  alleged  ;  while  many  more  are  given  on  the  authority  of 
the  public  press,  or  of  individuals  well  known  in  their  respective 
localities.  The  lists  of  cures  presented  in  several  instances  were 
made  up,  as  the  editor  is  assured,  from  the  verbal  statements  of 
patients  themselves,  who  returned,  after  the  lapse  of  greater  or  less 
periods  of  time,  and  reported  the  results  as  given. 

It  is  not  improbable  that  some  portion  of  these  testimonies, 
given,  perhaps,  in  the  enthusiasm  resulting  from  a  great  and  sur- 
prising relief,  and  in  many  cases  by  persons  unskilled  in  the  use  of 
language,  may  have  been  expressed  in  stronger  words  than  cool 
consideration,  after  a  longer  delay,  would  have  dictated.  It  is 
quite  likely,  too,  that  in  some  instances  cures  reported  as  complete 
may  have  proved  only  temporary  or  partial.  In  such  cases,  it  is 
but  fair  to  consider  that  a  cure  is  a  cure^  no  matter  how  many  times 


28  INTRODUCTION. 

subsequently  the  same  disease  may  be  reproduced  by  the  same  or 
similar  causes  ;  while  the  fact  of  even  a  temporary  respite  from 
suffering  indicates  the  probability  that  the  same  power  which 
effected  it,  if  more  thoroughly  applied,  might  produce  more  lasting 
benefits. 

But  after  making  all  reasonable  allowances  for  possibly  exagger- 
ated or  erroneous  statements,  it  is  believed  the  candid  reader  will 
admit  that  there  remains  a  mass  of  unexceptionable  evidence,  ac- 
cumulating through  a  series  of  years,  with  corroborations  from  all 
parts  of  our  country  and  from  foreign  lands,  furnished  by  witnesses 
in  almost  every  condition  and  station  in  life,  going  to  show  the 
REALITY  OF  THE  Healing  Power  as  cxerciscd  through  the  gifted 
individual  who  is  the  subject  of  the  following  sketch. 


THE  MODERN  BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  I. 


BIOG  RAP  H  I CA  L. 


Birth  and  Ancestry. — Youthful  Proclivities  to  the  Healing  Art. — Becomes  a  Merchant. — 
Visits  Hospitals  of  Europe. — Labors  for  Medical  Reform. — Early  cases  of  Healing — 
Yellow  Fever  on  board  the  "  Golden  Gate." — In  San  Francisco. 

"Whence  is  this  man  ?"  is  the  natural  inquiry  relative  to  any- 
one who  achieves  distinction  among  his  fellows.  The  following  bio- 
graphical sketch  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  which  appeared  in  the  New 
York  Literary  Alburn^  in  1866,  under  the  head  of  "  Men  of  Mark," 
will  sufficiently  answer  the  query  in  the  case  before  us  : — 

DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON,  THE  HEALER. 

"  If  he  who  causes  two  blades  of  grass  to  grow  where  but  one  had  grown  be- 
fore, is  to  be  considered  a  benefactor  of  his  race,  how  much  more  is  he  to  be  re- 
garded as  contributing  to  human  good,  who  can  assuage  physical  pain  and  ame- 
liorate the  ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to.  Such  an  one  is  now  in  our  midst,  challenging 
the  attention  and  admiration  of  the  community  by  effecting  results  in  the  art  of 
healing  that  border  on  the  marvellous.  This  gentleman  is  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton, 
the  Healer. 

"  The  Doctor  is  at  present,  and,  in  this  and  other  cities,  has  been  for  some 
years  past,  attracting  such  a  degree  of  attention,  and  is  accredited  with  such 
wonderful  powers  and  such  distinguished  characteristics,  as  to  make  him  most 
prominently  *  a  man  of  mark.'  As  such,  we  present  his  likeness  to  the  readers 
of  the  '  Literary  Album,'  together  with  a  few  facts  in  regard  to  his  past  history 
and  present  practice. 

"  Dr.  James  Rogers  Newton  was  born  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  Septem- 
ber 8th,  18 10,  and  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Rogers,  who  was  burned  at  the 
stake. 


30  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

"  He  is  now  [1866]  in  his  fifty-sixth  year,  with  a  constitution  as  strong,  a  step 
as  firm  and  elastic,  and  health  as  vigorous  and  unimpaired,  as  any  man  of  five- 
and-twenty.  His  parents  were  New  England  people,  and  were  remarkable  for 
longevity, — his  father  living,  in  the  full  possession  of  all  his  faculties,  to  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  ninety  years.  His  mother  was  a  lady  of  high  moral  worth  and 
intellectual  capacity,  and  possessed  of  indomitable  energy  and  will-power.  From 
both  parents,  but  from  the  latter  more  especially,  Dr.  Newton  inherited  those 
gifts  that  have  made  him  famous. 

"  In  his  youth.  Dr.  Newton  enjoyed  all  the  advantages  that  competence  and 
good  judgment  could  confer.  He  early  evinced  a  strong  proclivity  for  the 
medical  profession,  or  more  properly  speaking,  an  inclination  to  do  battle  with 
old  Allopathy,  to  modify  and  improve,  if  not  to  entirely  change,  the  prevailing 
system  of  medical  practice,  so  as  to  make  it  more  in  accordance  with  nature's 
laws  ;  but  various  circumstances  combined  to  prevent  the  gratification  of  his 
desires. 

"  At  an  early  age  he  became  aware  of  possessing  the  gift  of  healing,  of  which 
he  has  for  the  past  few  years  given  such  wonderful  evidence.  He  became  con- 
scious of  new  powers,  new  capabilities,  wonderful  and  strange,  and  opening  a  glo- 
rious avenue  of  usefulness ;  and  his  young,  enthusiastic  spirit  burned  for  the 
work.  But  meeting  with  no  encouragement,  this  heaven-born  gift  was  suffered 
to  lie  comparatively  undeveloped  until  later  years. 

"Although  contrary  to  his  inclinations,  he  entered  upon  pursuits  less  con- 
genial to  his  tastes,  and  for  twenty  years  was  a  prosperous  merchant,  during  which 
time  his  peculiar  gift  was  often  manifested,  but  never  exercised  to  any  great 
extent  till  the  year  1858.  Previous  to  this,  he  had  travelled  extensively  in 
Europe,  visiting  the  principal  hydropathic  establishments  and  hospitals  of  Eng- 
land, France  and  Germany,  and  greatly  improving  in  his  knowledge  of  the  heal- 
ing art.  Latterly  he  has  relinquished  all  other  pursuits,  overmastered  all  ob- 
stacles, and  devoted  himself  to  healing  the  sick. 

"  He  has  visited  the  principal  cities  of  the  United  States  and  been  visited  by 
thousands  of  patients ;  and  has  performed  those  marvellous  and  inexplicable 
cures  and  exercised  those  powers  which  astonish  the  world  and  threaten  to 
revolutionize  all  former  laws  and  experience  of  medical  science. 

"  Doctor  Newton  is  a  man  of  most  pleasing  presence  and  rare  urbanity  of 
manners.  He  speaks  unpretendingly  of  his  great  powers,  and  converses  with  an 
ease  and  fluency  that  plainly  show  him  to  be  a  gentleman  of  intellect  and  refine- 
ment. 

"  He  holds  none  of  his  powers  in  secret,  but  courts  investigation  of  the  scien- 
tific, and  endeavors  to  promulgate  to  the  world  his  principles  of  cure,  as  well  as 
to  show  how  magnetism,  the  life-principle,  or  vital  force,  can  be  imparted  by  a 
positive  will  from  a  strong  and  healthy  body  to  a  sickly  and  weak  one,  producing 
an  instantaneous  cure  of  the  most  chronic  diseases. 

*'  The  Doctor  disclaims  any  miraculous  powers,  but  declares  that  the  results 
he  produces  to  be  founded  on  philosophic  and  scientific  principles  which  can,  in  a 
measure,  be  taught. 

"  He  says  that  his  extraordinary  powers  over  disease  are  principally  due  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL.  3 1 

his  peculiar  organism,  philanthropic  idea  of  doing  good,  and  his  positive  char- 
acter. 

"  He  does  not  pretend  that  his  mission  is  a  special  one,  any  more  than  that 
one  man  may  make  a  good  tailor,  another  a  good  carpenter,  et  cetera.  He  is  a 
thorough  reformer,  if  not  a  revolutionist,  especially  in  his  practise  as  physician. 
He  holds  that  at  least  nineteen  persons  out  of  twenty  are  injured  by  taking  medi- 
cine. A  large  proportion  of  surgical  operations  he  denounces  as  wicked  and 
useless  torture.  The  use  of  nitrate  of  silver  and  belladonna  for  the  eyes — a 
practice  which  is  almost  universal  in  the  medical  profession — he  says  is  always 
attended  with  most  disastrous  consequences.  In  the  year  1849  ^^^  published  a 
pamphlet  on  the  malpractice  of  physicians,  with  an  appeal  to  the  medical  faculty 
of  Rhode  Island  to  allow  woman  to  be  the  physician  of  her  own  sex. 

"  The  Doctor  is  a  philanthropist  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  term,  and  declares 
that  if  he  were  making  his  last  wish  on  earth,  it  would  be  that  which  would  most 
benefit  mankind  and  mitigate  suffering  and  human  woe. 

"  May  God  bless  him  in  the  most  beneficent  and  glorious  work  that  has  ever 
claimed  the  world's  attention  since  the  days  when  Divinity  walked  the  earth !  " 

As  appears  from  the  foregoing  sketch,  Dr.  Newton  possessed 
the  gift  of  Iiealing  in  his  youth,  and  it  would  doubtless  have  been 
developed  earlier  in  life  but  for  the  influences  operating  adversely, 
through  ignorance,  pride  and  prejudice.  One  or  two  out  of  the 
many  cures  he  performed  in  a  quiet  way,  before  he  finally  began  his 
public  work,  may  be  here  mentioned. 

In  1853,  Dr.  Newton  was  a  passenger  on  the  steamer  "  Golden 
Gate,"  from  Panama  to  San  Francisco.  The  second  day  the  yellow 
fever  broke  out,  and  fear  and  consternation  prevailed  among  the 
passengers,  who  numbered  about  thirteen  hundred.  Among  them 
were  several  physicians,  and  all  those  not  prostrated  with  the  dis- 
ease labored  diligently  for  the  sufferers.  The  fever  raged  for  the 
period  of  eight  days ;  seventy-four  persons  died  and  their  bodies 
were  consigned  to  the  ocean.  The  surgeon  of  the  ship  lost  every 
patient  but  one  that  he  attended.  Dr.  N.  lost  none.  Many  lives 
were  saved  by  his  treatment. 

Twelve  years  after,  while  Dr.  Newton  was  healing  in  White- 
water, Michigan,  Dr.  Ledgard  called  upon  him  and  inquired  if  he 
made  a  passage  on  the  steamer  *'  Golden  Gate,"  in  1853.  On 
being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  said,  "  Well,  you  attended  me 
in  a  terrible  attack  of  yellow  fever,  and  I  have  to  thank  you  for 
saving  my  life." 

In  the  same  year  (1853),  while  Doctor  Newton  was  in  California, 


32  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

J.  J.  Coombs,  Esq.,  of  San  Francisco,  said  to  him  :  "  My  wife  is 
very  ill.  I  have  just  had  a  consultation  of  three  of  our  best  phy- 
sicians, who  say  that  she  cannot  live  thirty,  and  perhaps  not  ten, 
days."  The  Doctor  was  immediately  impressed  that  he  could  cure 
her,  and  said  so  to  Mr.  Coombs,  adding,  "  she  will  be  able  to  walk 
a  mile  in  thirty  days."  She  had  been  afflicted  with  chronic 
diarrhoea  and  other  seemingly  incurable  maladies  for  twenty-two 
months,  but  with  a  few  treatments  she  was  entirely  cured,  and 
walked  two  miles  in  thirty  days. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  written   several  years 
after : 

"Marblehead  (Mass.),  June  21,  i860. 
"  J.  R.  Newton,  M.  D. 

"  My  Dear  Friend, — I  embrace  this  opportunity  to  wish  you  god-speed  on 
your  mission  of  love  and  healing,  and  to  assure  you  that  my  humble  blessings 
are  daily  added  with  those  of  the  multitude  whom  your  skill  and  kindness  have 
restored  to  health.  *  *  *  *  Years  have  passed  since  I  saw  you,  but  my 
heart  beats  as  warmly  as  ever  for  the  good  Samaritan  who  ministered  to  me  in 
my  time  of  dire  necessity,  and  who  never  wearied  until  his  work  was  well  done  : 
and  I  fervently  say,  may  God  bless  you  now  and  evermore  ! 
"  Your  true  and  grateful  friend, 

"  Mrs.    C.   B.    CoOMBS-IiAMMONt)." 


BEGINNING    OF    PUBLIC    CAREER.     '  33 


CHAPTER  II. 


BEGINNING    OF    PUBLIC    CAREER. 


Dr.  Newton  commences  as  a  Public  Healer  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. — Incredulity. — Opposition 
gives  way. — One  Hundred  Patients  per  Day. — A  List  of  Cures. — Statement  of  Alex- 
ander Fairchild.— The  Doctoi'  goes  to  Cleveland.— Increase  of  Power.— A  Paralytic 
Healed. — Affidavit  of  John  F.  Warner. 

In  1858,  Doctor  Newton  commenced  practise  as  a  public  healer 
in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  "  He  was  here,"  says  a  narrator,  **'  inaugura- 
ting a  new  method  of  curing  disease,  and  encountered  at  first  the 
usual  amount  of  incredulity  and  skepticism  attendant  on  the  intro- 
duction of  any  new  system  ;  but  proofs  were  too  numerous  and 
powerful  to  withstand  even  the  strongest  current  of  opposition,  and 
all  who  saw  were  compelled  to  believe." 

After  performing  some  very  wonderful  cures,  his  fame  and 
practise  were  so  great  that  his  rooms  were  daily  crowded  with 
invalids.  The  average  number  of  patients  treated  by  the  Doctor, 
in  these  his  first  months  of  healing,  was  about  "  one  hundred  a 
day." 

The  press  invariably  gave  favorable  accounts,  and  cases  of 
cures  w^ere  cited  to  verify  their  statements.  The  following  are  a- 
few  cases,  out  of  the  many  thousands  ; 

John  Hutchinson,  Frankfort,  Indiana,  cured  of  paralysis  in  the  leg,  so  as 
to  be  able  to  walk  without  limping. 

Miss  Catharine  Johnson,  Sixth  street,  blind  for  fifteen  years,  restored  in 
fifteen  minutes,  and  can  now  see  to  read  and  work  as  well  as  when  a  child. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Miller,  Lawrenceburg,  rheumatism  for  twenty  years, 
restored  in  a  few  minutes. 

Miss  Emma  Coombs,  Sixth  street,  cured  of  a  goitre  in  less  than  twenty 
minutes. 

William  Rolls,  cataracts  on  eyes,  perfectly  restored  to  sight  while  riding 
in  a  Third  street  omnibus. 

3 


34  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Mrs.  Randolph  Douglass,  Frankfort,  Ind.,  hearing  and  voice  restored. 

H.  Oldham,  Camden,  Ohio,  restored  from  paralysis  and  rheumatism  in  half 
an  hour,  to  walk  without  limping. 

Mrs.  S.  G.  Horton's  son,  ten  years  old,  cured  of  spinal  complaint  in  ten 
minutes,  so  as  to  be  able  to  lift  the  end  of  a  heavy  bureau. 

Mrs.  Litton,  relieved  of  excruciating  pain,  having  been  kept  awake  there- 
with for  six  days  and  nights. 

Mrs.  Francesco,  Cleveland,  weakness  and  internal  ulcers,  discharging  pint 
daily;  cured  in  ten  minutes.     (Husband sexton  Dr.  White's  Plymouth  church.) 

Frances  Gillmore,  Sixth  street,  east  of  Broadway,  large  ovarian  tumor, 
pronounced  by  several  physicians  to  be  incurable.  This  case  was  examined  by 
two  physicians,  who  certify  that  there  was  no  trace  of  a  tumor  or  abnormal 
enlargement  of  the  abdomen  remaining. 

Daniel  Rice,  near  Kokomo,  Indiana,  hip  disease,  confined  to  bed  four 
months  ;  left  his  crutch  and  walked  to  hotel. 

Maria  Louisa  Crane,  320  George  street,  spine  disease  over  two  years,  legs 
withered  and  drawn  up  ;  five  months  previous  to  being  cured,  could  not  be  turned 
in  bed,  but  lay  in  one  position.  Fully  restored ;  it  is  not  probable  that  a  more 
wonderful  cure  has  been  for  ages. 

Miss  Sarah  Hinsey,  Sommerville,  Ohio,  had  not  stepped  on  her  foot  for 
eight  months ;  with  30  minutes'  operation  left  her  crutches  and  walked  to  hotel. 

Mrs.  Henry  Alms,  27  and  29  West  Third  street,  female  weakness  and  inter- 
nal ulcers,  was  so  weak  she  could  not  stand  without  support,  was  taken  from  her 
bed  and  restored ;  walked  a  mile  the  next  day. 

Mrs.  Bromwell,  293  George  street,  had  lost  all  use  of  her  limbs  by  spinal 
disease  and  weakness  ;  had  not  walked  for  eight  months  ;  restored  in  twenty 
minutes,  so  as  to  walk  about  the  house  and  out  doors. 

Mrs.  Thomas  Noe,  312  Baymiller  street, — heart  disease  and  weakness — 
taken  from  a  sick  bed,  and  in  twenty-five  minutes  perfectly  restored,  to  walk 
about  and  attend  to  customary  duties. 

Jackson  Douglass,  Frankfort,  Ind., — great  inflammation  in  the  eyes  and  par- 
tial blindness  for  over  five  years — fully  restored  to  sight  in  less  than  20  minutes. 

George  Bechtolds,  Newport,  Ky.,  daughter  aged  eight  years,  spine  disease, 
had  never  walked ;  with  fifteen  minutes  operating,  made  to  run  all  about  the  room. 

Mrs.  Jane  Horton,  132  George  street,  polypus,  two  and  a  half  years,  cured ; 
it  passed  away  in  three  days. 

Ebenezer  Williamson,  Plainville,  Ohio,  tumor  on  his  back,  cured  in  fifteen 
minutes ;  and  wife  cured  of  bad  sight  and  inflammation  of  eyes. 

Miss  Harriet  Rall,  daughter  of  Louis  Rail,  M.  D.,  26S  Baymiller  street, 
could  not  speak  plainly,  and  for  five  months  had  not  spoken  above  the  slightest 
whisper ;  was  perfectly  restored,  with  clear,  pleasant  voice  as  any  one.  She  says 
her  father  wept  for  joy  at  her  restoration. 

William  Owen,  comer  Court  and  Western  Row,  inflammatory  rheumatism. 
His  entire  flesh  was  so  sore  that  he  could  not  be  touched  without  great  pain ;  in 
fifteen  minutes  he  arose  from  his  bed  cured,  and  walked  nearly  a  mile. 

Mrs.  Louisa  Blossom^  Cleveland,  female  weakness  and  spine  disease ;  was 


BEGINNING    OF    PUBLIC    CAREER.  35 

brought  in  a  carriage,  barely  able  to  stand  alone ;  in  fifteen  minutes  she  was  fully 
cured,  discharged  the  carriage,  and  walked  a  mile. 

Frances  Harty,  fourteen  years  old,  169  West  Fourth  street,  hip  disease, 
walked  on  all-fours  if  her  crutch  was  taken  from  her ;  cured  in  thirty  minutes ; 
never  used  crutch  afterward. 

Mrs.  Augustus  Berry,  454  Front  street,  insanity  thirteen  years,  full, 
restored  with  one  operation. 

Mrs.  James  E.  Stacy,  53  East  Third  street,  general  weakness  and  spine  dis- 
ease, had  not  walked  for  two  years  ;  was  brought  directly  from  Saratoga  Springs, 
New  York,  where  she  had  been  under  treatment  four  months,  without  benefit. 
This  was  two  months  ago,  and  she  is  constantly  acquiring  strength,  and  can  now 
walk  two  miles  with  ease,  without  stopping. 

Thos.  Brown,  72  Richmond  street,  fever  sores,  with  much  pain;  fully 
restored  in  forty-eight  hours— the  scars  having  the  appearance  of  having  been 
healed  for  years  ;  left  his  crutches. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wallace,  Broadway,  totally  blind  in  one  eye,  and  could 
not  distinguish  any  person  four  feet  distant  with  the  other— both  eyes  fully 
restored  and  health  greatly  improved.  A  daughter  near-sighted  from  infancy, 
also  cured. 

Mrs.  Emma  P.  Bowman,  38  Rittenhouse  street,  liver  swelled  enormously, 
suffered  great  pain  seven  years.  The  swelling  all  disappeared  and  health 
restored.     This  disease  was  pronounced  incurable  by  many  physicians. 

Jane  Scott,  Third  street,  between  Elm  and  Plum,  lame  ankle,  scarcely  able 
to  walk  for  twelve  years  ;  made  to  walk  without  halt  or  limp  in  fifteen  minutes. 


The  case  of  Alexander  Fairchild  is  thus  given  in  a  com- 
munication to  one  of  the  local  papers : 

"  Messrs.  Editors. — For  the  benefit  of  mankind  I  give  you  an  account  of 
my  sickness  and  restoration,  that  other  afflicted  persons  may  receive  the  same 
benefit. 

"  Two  years  ago  I  was  taken  with  fever,  was  confined  to  my  bed,  and  lost  all 
use  of  my  legs,  which  were  drawn  up  and  anchylosed.  So  great  was  my  debility 
that  for  five  months  my  head  was  not  raised  from  the  pillow  to  receive  nourish- 
ment. I  am  twenty-five  years  old,  five  feet  seven  and  one-half  inches  high,  yet 
my  weight  was  then  about  forty  pounds.  Midway  between  my  knee  and  hip  I 
could  span  my  legs  with  my  thumb  and  middle  finger.  It  is  over  a  year  since  I 
was  given  over  as  incurable. 

"  Last  May,  you  published  an  account  of  a  cure  performed  by  Dr.  J.  R.  New- 
ton, who  was  then  at  the  Gibson  House.  My  friends  were  thereby  induced  to 
have  him  come  to  see  me.  By  the  first  operation  my  whole  system  was  vital- 
ized and  invigorated  ;  then  one  leg  was  relieved, and  straightened  ;  the  next  day 
the  other ;  and  the  next  day  I  walked.  This  was  twelve  weeks  ago,  and  I  have 
increased  in  strength  ever  since.     I  now  weigh  135  pounds. 


36  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

"  I  walk  out  daily  and  am  often  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Newton,  and  see  much  of 
his  astounding  cures  of  all  kinds  of  diseases.  *  *  *  I  feel  deep  gratitude  to 
the  doctor  for  my  restoration. 

Alexander  Fairchild, 
"  Cor.  Park  and  Fifth  streets,  Cincinnati." 

The  doctor  remained  in  Cincinnati  one  year  and  a  half,  and 
then  went  to  Cleveland,  where  he  had  even  greater  success,  and 
an  increase  of  healing  power.  Much  was  published  which  un- 
fortunately has  been  lost,  excepting  two  cases  which  follow: 

"Mrs.  Stebbins  had  been  paralyzed  three  years :  had  lost  the  sense  of  hear- 
ing, of  sight  and  of  speech.  She  was  incapable  of  any  motion  or  sound,  except- 
ing with  the  tongue,  with  which  she  made  a  slight  sound  when  hungry,  indicating 
*her  desire  for  food.  With  one  treatment  of  half  an  hour  she  was  restored  to  all 
her  senses ;  could  see,  hear,  walk  and  talk.     Her  cure  was  complete." 

AFFIDAVIT   OF  JOHN    F.    WARNER. 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

About  the  first  of  May,  i860,  I  was  confined  to  my  bed  with  rheumatism  in 
my  back,  and  so  badly  that  I  could  not  move  or  be  moved  from  the  bed.  Learn- 
ing of  Dr.  Newton's  arrival,  and  having  heard  of  his  wonderful  cures,  I  told 
my  friends  to  call  him,  and  also  to  advise  my  former  physician  of  same.  They 
protested,  and  I  insisted,  telling  them  that  I  could  not  endure  such  pain,  and  that 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  might  help  me.  My  friends  came  to  the  following  conclusion 
and  reasoned  thus  :  "  Well,  he  does  not  give  medicines  or  use  the  knife,  and  if 
he  doesn't  cure,  he  "can't  hurt  him."  And  Dr.  Newton  was  called  during  the 
latter  part  of  the  afternoon,  and  soon  after  entering  the  room,  commenced  by 
making  manipulations  over  my  head,  shoulders  and  sides,  and  after  working 
awhile  he  got  me  on  my  side,  and  then  manipulated  my  back  and  body,  which 
soon  enabled  me  with  his  assistance  to  sit  up  in  bed,  and  in  about  thirty  minutes 
I  was  enabled  to  get  from  the  bed  and  walked  the  room.  I  soon  felt  that  my 
back  was  giving  out,  and  told  Dr.  Newton,  when  he  made  a  few  more  passes 
with  his  hand  on  my  back,  which  caused  me  to  feel  strong  and  well  as  ever. 
After  moving  around  the  room  rapidly  at  the  request  of  Dr.  Newton,  he  re- 
quested that  I  should  dress  myself  and  have  a  brisk  walk  in  the  open  air.  I 
told  him  I  could  not  do  so  as  the  air  was  too  damp  and  I  feared  taking  cold. 
Dr.  Newton  insisted,  and  said  if  I  did  not  do  so  the  coming  morning  would  find 
me  stiff  and  lame.  Before  leaving,  Dr.  Newton  told  me  that  I  must  visit  him  in 
the  morning  at  his  office.  I  retired  about  ten  o'clock  that  evening  and  rested 
well,  except  that  I  was  stiff,  as  Dr.  N.  said  I  would  be.  I  was  dressed  by  my 
friends,  and  with  two  canes  and  a  man  by  my  side  I  started  for  Dr.  Newton's 
office,  distant  half  a  block.  On  arriving  at  his  office  I  found  a  crowd  of  people, 
and  made  my  way  through  into  the  hall,  taking  a  chair,  and  sent  word  to  Dr. 
Newton  that  I  wished  to  see  him  at  once.  I  was  soon  escorted  to  his  room  and 
placed  on  a  lounge,  when  he  commenced  manipulating  and  rubbing  my  back 
and  body,  not  exceeding  ten  minutes,  when  I  was  relieved  from  all  stiffness  and 
felt  like  a  new  man,  and  had  no  use  for  my  canes.  After  the  operation  I  walked 
about  two  miles,  and  on  returning  home  found  several  friends  at  the  house  to 
learn  of  the  cure.  I  would  here  state  that  my  age  now  is  about  forty-six,  and  for 
jibout  fifteen  years  I  have  been  a  very  great  sufferer  from  rheumatism,  and  have 
continued  well  to -this  time.  John  F.  Warner. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me  this  26th  day  of  December,  1862. 

George  "B.  Tibbits,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Cleveland,  Ohio 


THE    HEALER  IN   BOSTON.  37 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE    HEALER    IN    BOSTON. 


Crowds  in  Attendance. — Testimony  of  Dr.  Child  of  Philadelphia. — List  of  Cures. — Affi- 
davit of  Elizabeth  S.  Southwick. — All  Cases  not  Cured. — Skepticism  in  Consequence. 
— Nature  of  the  Healing  Power  needs  to  bs  Understood. — A  remarkable  Exposition  cf 
the  Subject  from  an  Extraordinary  Source. — .\  "  Trance  "  Discourse,  followed  by  an 
Interesting  Colloquy. 

In  the  summer  of  i860,  Dr.  Newton  proceeded  to  Boston, 
Mass.,  and  there  opened  an  office  at  the  corner  of  Edinboro  and 
Beach  Streets.  His  spacious  rooms  were  daily  crowded  with  mul- 
titudes,— some  to  be  cured,  and  others  to  see  cures  performed. 
Among  the  latter  was  Dr.  H.  T.  Child,  an  eminent  physician  of 
the  Allopathic  practise,  from  Philadelphia.  On  returning  home, 
he  told  some  of  the  Professors  in  the  famous  medical  schools  of 
that  city  that  he  had  learned  more"  of  curing  disease,  in  one  da}', 
of  Dr.  Newton,  than  he  ever  learned  in  their  colleges. 

The  following  letter  from  Dr.  Child  was  afterward  published  : 

"  Mr.  Editor: — In  answer  to  numerous  inquiries  in  reference  to  Dr.  J.  R. 
Newton,  I  would  say,  that  in  October,  i860,  I  visited  him  in  Boston.  I  found 
him  a  plain,  unassuming  man. 

*'  His  rooms  were  crowded  by  patients  and  their  friends,  a  motley  group  of 
the  lame,  the  halt  and  the  blind.  He  invited  me  into  his  operating-room  to  wit- 
ness his  mode  of  treating  various  diseases.  He  was  seeing  from  eighty  to  one 
hundred  patients  daily,  most  of  whom  were  of  the  poor,  toward  whom  his  atten- 
tion was  bestowed  with  as  much  kindness  as  to  any  class. 

"  I  saw  him  operate  on  more  than  one  hundred  persons  who  had  various 
forms  of  disease.  Of  these  I  will  mention  a  case  of  paralysis.  An  old  man,  a 
painter  by  trade,  came  hobbling  in  on  two  crutches.  He  said  he  had  not  been 
able  to  rise  from  his  seat  or  walk  without  aid  for  eight  months.  In  about 
twenty  minutes  he  rose  up  and  walked  away,  going  up  and  down  stairs  without 
a  cane  or  crutch.  His  mode  of  treatment  was  by  pressure  wuth  his  hands  along 
the  spinal  column  and  over  the  limbs.  He  also  applied  warm  water  to  them 
and  moved  them  in  various  directions.  This  was  the  general  plan  of  treatment 
of  paralysis. 


38  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

"  Another  case  was  that  of  a  little  boy  about  six  years  old  who  had  hip  dis- 
ease. He  came  in  limping  on  one  foot,  the  other  drawn  up  several  inches.  In 
a  few  minutes  the  limb  was  drawn  down  and  he  ran  round  the  room  without  any 
aid.  I  saw  a  large  pile  of  crutches  and  supporters  that  had  been  left  with  the 
Doctor  by  his  patients  who  had  no  longer  any  use  for  them. 

"Henry  T.  Child,  M.  D., 

"  634  Race  street,  Philadelphia." 

From  a  lengthy  list  of  cures  performed  during  this  visit  to 
Boston,  and  published  at  the  time,  the  following  are  selected  : — 

Miss  Abby  Bartlett,  Boston,  could  not  speak  even  in  a  whisper  for  eight 
months  ;  perfectly  cured  in  ten  minutes.  The  next  day  her  friend,  Mrs.  Samuel 
Stevens,  Boston — fourteen  months  without  speaking — was  restored  in  two 
minutes. 

Mrs.  Wise,  31  Central  avenue,  Chelsea,  cured  of  cancer. 

Captain  Daniel  Cavanaugh,  Jr.,  steam  tow-boat,  Charles  River,  had  cough; 
thought  to  be  in  consumption ;  cured  by  one  operation. 

Jeremiah  O'Brien,  3  South  street  court,  Boston — sciatica ;  could  not  work 
for  seven  and  a  half  years  ;  hobbled  with  two  canes ;  after  one  operation  he  left 
his  canes,  and  was  able  to  go  to  work. 

Mrs.  S.  E.  Wads  WORTH,  3  Medford  court,  Boston — lame  five'years  ;  brought 
in  arms,  and  walked  home. 

Mrs.  Henrietta  M.  Gibson,  20  Marion  street,  Boston — loss  of  voice,  weak 
spine,  and  general  debility  ;  cured. 

H.  F.  CusHiNG,  Maiden,  Mass.,  returned  last  March  from  the  West,  where 
he  had  been  sick  for  about  a  year.  After  his  return  he  grew  weaker,  suffering 
severe  pains  ;  the  physician  under  whose  care  he  was  held  a  consultation  with 
another,  and  they  decided  (as  all  supposed)  that  he  was  incurable;  he  was  quite 
a  skeleton,  weighing  only  ninety-seven  pounds.  In  September  he  was  carried  to 
Dr.  N.,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  was  restored  so  as  to  dress  and  undress  himself, 
which  he  had  not  done  for  over  a  year.  He  now  is  apparently  well ;  weighs  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds,  and  is  gaining  every  day,  with  a  good  appetite, 
perfectly  free  from  pain. 

Mrs.  Sarah  G.  Crosby,  of  Albion,  Maine,  after  being  treated  for  female 
weakness  of  long  standing,  with  much  benefit,  brougl.t  her  son,  Ellery  C. 
Crosby,  to  be  cured  of  consumption.  He  was  very  low,  and  his  journey  was 
attended  with  much  suffering.  The  Doctor,  placing  his  hands  upon  his  head, 
said :  "  You  shall  be  cured.  Go,  take  a  male  chicken,  cut  off  the  head,  split  it 
in  the  back,  and  place  it,  warm,  on  your  breast,  with  the  inside  to  your  flesh.  In 
the  morning  it  will  be  putrid.  Then  burn  it."  He  did  so,  when  a  running  sore, 
in  the  shape  of  the  chicken,  came  upon  his  breast,  which  lasted  two  weeks ; 
after  which  he  was  well,  and  the  breast-bone,  which  before  had  projected  like 
that  of  a  chicken,  went  to  its  natural  position. 


THE    HEALER    IN    BOSTON.  39 

The  following  was  voluntarily  given  under  oath  : 

AFFIDAVIT   OF   ELIZABETH   S.    SOUTHWICK. 

This  certifies  that  I,  Elizabeth  S.  Southwick,  of  South  Danvers,  County  of 
Essex,  and  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  four  or  five  years  ago  was  afflicted 
with  what  my  physicians  called  a  spinal  disease  ;  that  I  was  confined  with  it  to 
my  bed  for  four  months,  and  was  not  able  to  walk  across  the  room  without  sup- 
port for  sixteen  months.  My  only  other  means  of  locomotion  was  by  a  chair  on 
wheels  for  invalids,  by  which  I  could  propel  myself  about  parts  of  the  house. 
While  in  this  situation,  and  not  being  able  to  rise  from  the  chair  without  assist- 
ance, I  heard  that  cases  similar  to  my  own  had  been  helped  by  Dr.  J.  R.  New- 
ton. I  desired  to  see  him,  and  my  friends  carried  me  to  his  residence  in  Boston, 
distant  about  sixteen  miles.  This  was  in  October,  i860.  I  was  assisted  up  one 
flight  of  stairs,  and  met  Dr.  Newton  in  his  private  room  in  presence  of  my 
brother  and  his  wife.  After  about  fifteen  minutes'  treatment  I  found  myself 
able  to  rise  and  walk  without  assistance.  I  descended  the  stairs  without  help 
and  walked  about  the  city  with  perfect  ease  to  myself,  continuing  my  walk  I 
think  about  two  miles.  I  then  rode  home  in  the  same  carriage  in  which  I  came, 
and  alighted  from  it  without  aid.  After  about  a  week  I  visited  Dr.  Newton  a 
second  time,  in  a  carriage,  and  returned  home  in  the  same  without  more  fatigue 
than  is  usual  when  I  am  in  good  health.  Since  that  time  my  health  has  been 
good.  I  walk  abroad  almost  every  day,  and  I  can  now  walk  miles  from  home 
with  very  little  fatigue. 

I  am  fully  satisfied  that  my  cure  was  effected  solely  by  the  means  used  by 
Dr.  Newton,  and  that  I  owe  my  restoration  to  good,  and  I  may  almost  say  robust 
health,  under  Providence,  to  his  skill  as  a  physician. 

Elizabeth  S.  Southwick. 

South  Danvers,  December  25,  1862. 

Essex,  SS.,  December  25,  1862. — Then  personally  appeared  the  within 
named  Elizabeth  S.  Southwick,  and  made  oath  that  the  foregoing  certificate, 
signed  by  her,  is  true.     Before  me.  Fitch  Poole, 

Justice  of  the  Peace. 

It  is  by  no  means  to  be  inferred  that  all  persons  who  applied  to 
Dr.  Newton  for  healing  were  cured  of  their  diseases.  On  the  con- 
trary, instances  frequently  occurred  among  the  numbers  who 
pressed  upon  him,  in  which  little  or  no  apparent  effect  was  pro- 
duced upon  the  sufferer.  To  those  who  had  no  proper  conception 
of  the  nature  of  the  healing  force  exerted  through  Dr.  N.,  and  of 
its  mode  of  action,  this  seemed  inexplicable ;  and  not  a  few  were 
moved  to  pronounce  the  whole  thing  a  deception,  and  the  cases  of 
alleged  cure  merely  imaginary.  But  the  claims  of  the  genuineness 
of  this  power  may  be  safely  rested  upon  the  abundant  testimony  al- 


40  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

ready  and  hereafter  to  be  adduced  —  much  of  it  given  under 
oath — that  positive  and  often  instantaneous  cures  did  occur,  in 
large  numbers,  as  the  result  of  Dr.  N.'s  simple  treatment,  and 
this  notwithstanding  the  failures. 

A  correct  knowledge  of  the  nature  of  this  healing  power,  of  its 
mode  of  operation  in  the  human  organism,  and  of  the  conditions 
necessary  to  its  successful  action,  will  doubtless  fully  explain  all 
cases  of  failure,  and  enable  us  to  give  credence  to  all  reasonably 
authenticated  testimony  in  its  favor.  Such  knowledge  we  hope  to 
impart  in  the  course  of  this  volume. 

As  a  contribution  towards  this  end,  the  following  remarkable 
exposition  is  here  presented.  It  appeared  in  the  columns  of  the 
Banner  of  Lights  a  weekly  journal  published  in  Boston,  about  the 
time  of  Dr.  Newton's  first  visit  to  that  city.  It  is  a  verbatim  re- 
port of  a  discourse  spoken  through  the  lips  of  Mrs.  Conant,  a 
widelyrknown  "  medium  "  for  messages  purporting  to  come  from 
disembodied  spirits,  while  she  was  in  an  unconscious  trance ; 
which  discourse  was  followed  by  a  colloquy  between  the  invisible 
speaker  and  some  questioner  or  questioners  in  the  audience,  who 
desired  a  further  elucidation  of  the  subject.  The  philosophy 
therein  presented,  whatever  its  source,  is  regarded  by  Dr.  Newton 
as  substantially  correct.     It  is  at  least  worthy  of  careful  study. 

These  topics,  of  the  nature  of  the  healing  power,  the  modus 
operandi  of  its  action,  and  the  reason  of  failures,  will  come  up  for 
further  consideration  in  subsequent  chapters  of  this  work. 

THE    PHILOSOPHY    OF    DR.    NEWTON's    HEALING   POWERS. 

By  request,  we  shall  speak  in  brief  this  afternoon  concerning  the  philosophy 
of  the  immediate  removal  of  certain  diseases  by  and  through  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton, 
together  with  his  total  failure  in  other  cases. 

It  will  be  remembered,  by  some  at  least,  that  we  have  affirmed  that  nearly  all 
the  diseases  to  which  the  human  body  is  heir,  are  first  received  or  taken  on  by 
the  spirit  or  vital  forces,  and  thence  eliminated  or  projected  into  the  physical. 
The  character  of  the  manifestation  of  the  disease  depends  very  much  upon  the  con- 
dition of  the  individual  at  the  time  of  its  inception.  Taking  this  stand,  it  were 
very  easy  to  elucidate  the  philosophy  of  the  cure  of  disease  concerning  the  case 
in  question. 

It  is  perceived  that  the  Materia  Medica  is  not  at  all  consulted  by  the  operator, 
Dr.  Newton.  He  relies  solely  upon  those  self-healing  energies  that  are  gener- 
ated within  his  own  spiritual  being.  Now  this  should  clearly  prove  to  mortal 
minds  that  disease  does  indeed  come  by  and  through  the  spiritual  forces,  else 


THE    HEALER    IN    BOSTON.  4I 

it  could  not  be  removed  by  a  spiritual  process,  by  any  possibility.  We  do  not 
affirm  or  say  that  the  spirit  is  accountable  for  all  those  imperfect  conditions  that 
are  taken  on  by  the  human  form,  but  we  do  say  that  nearly  all  the  diseases  inci- 
dent to  mortality  originate  in  the  spiritual  forces  of  the  individual. 

"  What  is  the  philosophy  of  the  cure  of  disease  in  one  case,  and  of  his  total 
failure  in  another  ? "  Why,  to  us  it  is  as  grand  and  simple,  yet  majestic,  as 
•  yonder  sunlight.  We  see  it,  feel  its  power,  and  are  abk  to  analyze  its  properties. 
So  it  is  with  regard  to  the  subject  before  us.  We  see  the  wheel  that  is  within  the 
wheel ;  we  perceive  also  the  power  that  is  behind  the  external  power,  and  thus 
we  speak,  although  with  simplicity,  yet  with  knowledge  of  this  important  matter. 

To  illustrate :  Suppose  two  persons  present  themselves  to  the  operator.  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton,  afflicted  with  the  same  disease.  Each  desires  to  be  cured  ;  but  is 
it  possible  to  cure  both.''  Perhaps  so,  perhaps  not,  as  we  shall  presently  see. 
The  operator  presents  himself  before  his  two  patients,  but  the  moment  he  does 
so  he  feels  instinctively  the  attractive  power  of  the  one,  and  the  repulsive  force  of 
the  other,  and  yet  he  fails  to  understand  the  whys  and  wherefores  of  these  feelings 
at  the  time.  But  the  philosophy  of  this  feeling  of  attraction  and  repulsion  will  be 
one  day  clearly  understood  by  him.  When  he  comes  into  the  spiritual  atmos- 
phere of  the  patients  before  him,  he  takes  the  hand  of  the  person  to  whom  he 
is  attracted,  and  he  says,  at  once,  "  I  can  cure  you.  You  are  diseased  thus  and 
so.  You  shall  be  healed.  Believe  there  is  power  to  heal  you  ;  and  I'm  going  to 
do  it."  Thus  he  sends  out  his  will  force — directs  it  to  the  patient,  and  particularly 
to  that  portion  of  the  body  that  he  believes  to  be  diseased. 

Now  if  that  patient  have  hope,  together  with  a  strong  degree  of  faith  in  the 
healing  power  of  the  operator,  then  that  will-force  will  attract  and  fasten  itself  to 
the  electrical  body  *  of  the  patient,  and  form  a  perfect  battery  of  communication 
between  the  operator  and  his  subject ;  and  through  this  will-power  the  patient  is 
healed.  The  afflicted  one  is  filled,  not  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  it  may  be,  but  with 
the  holy  fires  of  electric  life,  that  were  so  long  wanted  there.  The  first  point 
that  it  is  requisite  to  attain,  is  to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  patient.  Inspire  him 
with  confidence  in  your  power  to  heal  him  ;  attract  all  the  possibilities  of  your 
patient  toward  you,  bring  his  electric  forces  into  union  with  those  of  your  own 
body,  and  when  you  have  connected  yourself  electrically  with  the  patient,  be- 
lieve us,  a  cure  will  be  readily  effected. 

After  coming  into  the  spiritual  atmosphere  of  the  second  individual,  or  other 
patient  in  question,  the  operator  asks,  "  Do  you  believe  I  can  heal  you  ?  "  "  Oh, 
yes ;  you  have  healed  my  friend,  why  not  me  ?  "  he  says.  "  At  all  events,  I  shall 
try  to  believe  in  you,  although  I  must  confess  that  I  have  not  that  strong  faith 
in  your  healing  power  that  my  friend  possesses."  Now  here  is  an  apparent 
show  of  faith  and  hope.  The  patient  believes ;  he  or  she  believes  that  there  is  a 
possibility  of  being  cured,  yet  is  not  sure  of  it.  The  operator  sends  out  his  will- 
force  toward  the  individual  in  question ;  but  there  is  a  deficiency  in  the  attractive 
power.  It  is  not  sufficient  to  bring  his  own  electric  forces  into  union  with  those 
of  the  patient.     In  vain  he  endeavors  to  come  in  contact  with  the  electric  forces 

♦  Commonly  termed  "  spiritual  body." — Ed. 


42  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

of  the  patient.  He  says  again,  I  can  cure  you  ;  for,  by  appealing  to  the  individ- 
ual's material  senses,  he  hopes  that  he  may  gain  access  to  the  latent  electric  forces 
in  the  body  of  his  patient,  in  order  that  perfect  electrical  communication  may  be 
established  between  his  own  body  and  the  subject  before  him. 

So  do  not  charge  him  with  falsehood  when  he  tells  you  that  he  can  cure  you 
and  yet  fails  to  do  so ;  for  we  declare  he  tells  you  no  untruth.  He  does  not 
desire  to  deceive  you ;  he  •  feels  the  necessity  of  making  this  assertion  to  give  ' 
birth,  if  we  may  so  speak,  to  hope,  to  faith  in  the  mind  of  the  patient,  that  he 
may  fasten  his  electric  forces  upon  your  electric  body,  and  through  those  forces 
you  may  receive  the  healing  balm. 

We  have  said  he  may  make  an  attempt  to  come  into  contact  with  the  electric 
forces  of  the  patient  through  his  material  senses,  and  yet  no  cure  be  effected. 
There  is  no  light  there — all  is  darkness ;  the  electric  forces  remain  still  undis- 
turbed in  the  body  of  the  patient,  still  unharmonized,  and  there  is  a  want  of  hope 
and  faith  in  the  mind  of  the  patient  that  completely  baffles  the  power  of  the 
operator.  Yet  by  repeated  efforts  it  is  possible  that  he  may,  through  the  mate- 
rial or  external  senses  of  the  patient,  form  the  desired  connection  and  so  effect 
a  cure.  But  if  this  last  means  fail  to  produce  the  desired  effect,  he  withdraws 
his  will-power  from  the  afflicted  one,  and  thus  is  never  able  to  cure  the  patient. 

It  is  highly  important  that  the  man  of  science,  particularly  the  physician, 
understand  these  things ;  if  not,  he  has  no  surety  that  he  has  grasped  science  at 
all.  The  medical  man  of  the  past  and  of  the  present  age  has  overlooked  the 
spiritual  part  of  science.  He  has  grappled  with  material  effects  rather  than 
with  the  causes  of  those  effects.  He  has  searched  through  the  Materia  Medica 
for  knowledge  wherewith  to  remove  those  diseases  of  the  human  form  that  to  his 
mind  have  had  their  rise  in  material  conditions.  In  many  thousand  cases  he  has 
succeeded  in  restoring  health  and  vigor  to  frames  apparently  diseased.  We  do 
not  ignore  the  old  process  of  treating  disease,  for  we  are  aware  that  there  are 
many  thousands  who  can  be  healed  in  no  other  way,  whose  electrical  forces  can 
never  be  approached,  because  of  their  non-susceptible  natures.  Thus  they  live 
in  themselves,  and  feed  upon  their  own  powers;  and  if  those  electric  forces  lose 
their  vitality,  and  disease  settles  upon  the  human  frame,  it  can  be  removed — if 
indeed  it  is  removed  at  all — only  through  the  old  and  practical  mode  of  treatment. 

COLLOQUY. 

Query. — How  is  Dr.  Newton  supplied  with  this  spiritual  or  healing  power  ? 

A. — Compensation  is  one  of  the  great  laws  of  Nature.  You  send  out  a  large 
amount  of  your  vital  power  toward  another  person,  and  Nature  immediately  sup- 
plies the  loss  to  you.  The  operator  may  feel  enfeebled,  but  it  is  temporary,  for 
Nature  will  recuperate  those  forces  of  the  human  system  that  have  been  imparted 
or  given  out  to  others. 

Q. — Must  not  Dr.  Newton  have  an  organization  peculiarly  adapted  to  the 
reception  of  such  forces  ? 

A. — Certainly.  If  he  had  not  an  organization  to  receive  the  forces  of  the 
natural  world,  he  would  not  have  the  power  to  impart  those  forces  to  others. 


THE    HEALER   IN    BOSTON.  43 

But  it  is  by  nature  of  his  own  being  that  he  is  enabled  to  prepare  those  forces  for 
the  use  of  the  afflicted  ones  of  earth.  Thus  that  peculiar  force  that  is  eliminated 
to  the  patient  is  generated  within  the  operator's  own  being. 

Q. — Is  it  not  necessary  that  the  operator  be  possessed  of  great  sympathy  and 
love  for  the  human  race  generally .'' 

A. — It  is  ;  for  by  and  through  the  law  of  love  a  Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  enabled 
to  perform  great  miracles  while  living  among  the  children  of  earth. 

Q. — Does  Dr.  Newton  perform  his  cures  merely  from  his  own  power,  or  has 
he  the  aid  of  any  one  else  ? 

A. — He  is  assisted  by  all  heaven  and  earth,  for  he  is  inseparably  connected 
to  these  conditions  of  life. 

Q. — He  seems  to  be  in  a  semi-trance,  and  I  did  not  know  but  that  he  was 
under  the  influence  of  a  band  of  spirits. 

A. — He  is  ofttimes,  yet  the  peculiar  force  that  is  eliminated  to  the  patient  is 
generated  within  his  own  being ;  but  that  from  which  it  is  formed  may  and  must 
be  attracted  to  the  operator  from  the  natural  world. 

Q. — After  exhaustion,  is  the  power  that  comes  to  the  operator  by  way  of  res- 
toration a  diffused  force,  or  is  it  gathered  to  some  particular  organ  of  the  body  ? 

A. — It  is  attracted  to  the  physical  form  by  action  of  the  spleen,  and  diffused 
by  that  organ  to  the  various  other  organs  of  the  human  system. 

Q. — Is  not  the  spleen,  then,  the  stomach  into  which  these  natural  forces  are 
first  received  ? 

A. — It  is  the  grand  magnetic  stomach,  if  we  may  so  term  it.  The  man  of 
science  well  understands  that  if  he  takes  one  ounce  of  blood  from  the  physical 
form.  Nature  labors  very  hard,  is  very  active,  until  she  has  restored  that  much  of 
lost  blood  to  the  physical  body.  So  it  is  with  the  spiritual  forces  of  your  nature. 
If  you  expend  a  large  amount  of  your  spiritual  or  healing  forces  for  the  benefit 
of  others.  Nature  will  certainly  compensate  you  for  the  loss  by  giving  back  to 
you  an  amount  of  power  equal  to  that  expended  by  you  on  others.  So  give  of 
your  forces  without  stint  or  measure,  for  Nature  will  make  good  to  you  the  loss 
of  them. 

Q. — Do  you  mean  to  say  it  is  impossible  for  one  to  exhaust  those  healing 
forces  ? 

A. — I  do  believe  it  is  possible  for  you  to  exhaust  those  forces  to  a  certain 
degree ;  but  it  is  only  for  a  time,  for  Nature  will  restore  the  deficiency. 

Q. — We  shall  be  restrained  from  exercise  by  the  want  of  power,  I  presume, 
but  I  have  known  cases  where  the  loss  of  these  healing  forces  occasioned  such 
severe  physical  exhaustion  as  to  produce  disease  upon  the  part  of  the  operator. 

Q. — Can  a  person  having  large  faith  heal  himself  } 

A. — Most  certainly  he  can,  in  many  cases.  You  may  be  enabled  to  electrify 
the  diseased  portion  of  your  nature.  We  may  safely  say  that  in  four  cases  out 
of  ten  this  may  be  done,  and  if  man  would  rely  more  upon  his  own  healing 
energies,  he  would  seldom  need  to  consult  a  physician.  It  is  because  man  does 
not  know  his  power  that  he  does  not  use  it.  Knowledge  and  faith  are  both  neces- 
sary to  the  removal  of  disease  from  the  human  system. 


44  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


IN    NEW   YORK    CITY. 


The  Herald  gives  its  testimony — Statement  of  Dr.  Bryant. — Crowds  of  Patients. — Folice 
required. — Cure  of  an  Editor's  Wife. — Singular  Cure  of  Polypus. — List  of  Cures. — A 
series  of  Affidavits. 

In  May,  1861,  Dr.  Newton  went  to  New  York,  where  a  large 
field  for  his  labors  opened  before  him.  Several  of  the  leading  daily- 
papers  sent  reporters  to  his  rooms,  and  the  New  York  Herald  pub- 
lished the  following  article  in  its  issue  of  July  3d : — 

THE    MIRACLES    OF    CHRIST    REVIVED. 

Second  Advent  of  the  Apostolic  Age. —  The  Lame  Walk,  the  Deaf  Hear,  the  Blind 
See  and  the  Cripple  Restored. —  Wonderful  Cures  Performed  by  a  New  York 
Physician. —  Terrific  Assault  on  Ancient  yEsculapian  Battlements. —  The  Faculty 
Perplexed  and  Troubled,  etc. 

In  a  fashionable,  palatial  residence,  No.  32  East  Eighteenth  street,  New 
York,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  great  artery  of  our  metropolis,  there  at 
present  resides  a  man  whose  name  is  already  on  the  tongues  of  thousands,  and  is 
destined  to  be  still  wider  known  throughout  the  community.  This  is  J.  R.  New- 
ton, M.  D.,  who  calls  himself  a  practical  physician  for  the  cure  of  chronic  dis- 
eases, and  professes  to  be  possessed  of  a  power  to  relieve  all  sorts  of  **  ills  to 
which  flesh  is  heir."  During  a  residence  of  eight  months  in  Boston,  Dr.  Newton 
registered  over  10,000  patients,  a  large  portion  of  whom  had  previously  been 
given  over  by  ordinary  practitioners  as  incurable.  The  most  extraordinary  cir- 
cumstance connected  with  these  cases  is,  that  the  most  obdurate  ones  have  fre- 
quently been  cured  by  a  single  effort. 

Speaking  of  his  modus  cttrandi,  he  says  that  his  system  of  treatment  is  peculiar 
to  himself;  by  it  the  vital  forces  become  equalized.  No  pain  is  caused,  no  medi- 
cine given,  and  no  surgical  operation  performed.  It  takes  but  from  five  to  thirty 
minutes  for  inveterate  cases  of  almost  any  curable  chronic  disease,  and  so  sure  is 
the  effect  that  but  few  diseases  require  a  second  operation  excepting  deafness, 


IN    NEW   YORK 

epilepsy  and  consumpt'on.  Exceptions  are  also  in  nTl^TTnlii  ii  ilHtiTrT^i  I  nil  i 
neous  cures,  to  broken  bones,  dislocations,  bad  curvatures  of  the  spine  and  mat- 
terated  tumors.  Even  these  will  be  much  benefited — always  relieved  from  pain, 
and  sometimes  fully  cured.  Diseases  that  are  most  certain  of  being  cured  with 
one  operation  he  states  to  be  weak  spines,  prolapsus  and  all  kinds  of  sexual 
weakness,  internal  ulcers,  loss  of  voice,  diseased  liver,  kidneys,  heart,  weakness 
of  limbs,  dyspepsia,  rheumatism,  bronchitis,  diabetes  and  nervous  debility.  Par- 
alysis seems  the  most  slow  and  uncertain  with  this  treatment.  Sometimes, 
though  rarely,  they  have  been  fully  restored  with  one  operation ;  they  are,  how- 
ever, always  benefited. 

At  the  early  age  of  ten  years  he  first  conceived  the  idea  that  he  was  possessed 
of  the  healing  power  in  a  great  and  extraordinary  degree  At  that  period  of  his 
youth,  however,  it  was  hard  for  him  to  impress  his  belief  on  grown  persons,  and 
it  was  not  until  he  had  performed  some  cures  that  awakened  their  astonishment 
that  they  began  to  give  his  operations  any  attention.  His  first  attempts  were 
principally  confined  to  warts  and  other  troublesome  excrescences  on  the  human 
skin,  in  which  he  succeeded  beyond  expectation.  He  did  not  at  first  make  his 
cures  known  to  the  general  public,  but  rather  confined  them  to  select  circles  of 
friends  and  acquaintances.  By  degrees  he  became  notofious,  and  wherever  he 
was  known  to  be  he  was  followed  by  crowds  of  people,  laboring  under  every  form 
of  disease,  to  the  most  of  whom  he  gave  substantial  and  sometimes  final  relief. 
The  principal  fields  of  the  Doctor's  operations  have  been  Boston,  Mass.,  and 
Cincinnati,  where  he  has  left  behind  thousands  of  witnesses  of  the  force  and 
utility  of  his  skill.  Since  his  appearance  in  New  York  he  has  taken  the  faculty 
by  storm,  inasmuch  as  people  of  every  class  and  condition  of  life  whom  they 
have  declared  utterly  incurable  have  found  out  his  quarters  and  are  everyday 
pouring  by  hundreds  into  his  operating  room.  He  makes  no  vain  boast  of  his 
seeming  triumph  over  regular  practitioners,  but  assumes  it  as  a  matter  of  course. 
Some  of  the  cases  he  has  on  record  are  truly  startling.  A  gentleman  employed 
in  a  large  house  in  this  city,  who  had  nearly  lost  the  use  of  his  limbs,  for  two 
years,  suffering  intolerable  and  excruciating  agony  all  the  while,  and  who  had 
been  given  up  by  several  physicians,  was  entirely  cured  in  one  or  two  operations. 
Another  resident  of  this  city,  who  had  been  reduced  by  the  inroads  of  a  cough  to 
a  frightful  state  of  existence,  was  entirely  cured  in  ten  minutes,  and  has  been 
well  ever  since.  A  lady  from  Jersey  City,  who  had  for  years  been  suffering 
from  goitre — a  painful  affection  of  the  throat — was  entirely  cured  in  five  min- 
utes, and  is  now  perfectly  well.  This  lady  was  so  grateful  for  the  benefit  con- 
ferred upon  her  that  she  left  her  portraits  to  be  added  to  the  doctor's  collection, 
and  any  one  visiting  his  residence  may  now  see  the  patient  as  she  was  before  she 
was  operated  upon,  and  as  she  was  after  the  cure  was  completed. 

This  gentleman,  who  must  be  considered  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  and 
miraculous  doctors  alive,  does  not  seek  to  intrude  himself  upon  the  public  by  any 
means,  but  is,  on  the  contrary,  singularly  retiring  and  simple  in  his  manners.  His 
fame  and  reputation  seem  to  be  spread  abroad  by  the  unfortunate  people  to 
whom  he  has  been  instrumental  in  bringing  back  health  and  happiness  ;  and  this 
is  more  apparent  when  the  immense  crowds  of  diseased  people  who  swarm  about 


46  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

his  residence  on  every  day  of  the  week  are  taken  into  consideration.  He  never 
advertises  his  cures,  nor  does  he  appeal  to  the  public  in  the  way  of  some  of  our 
modern  physicians. 

In  a  large  upper  room  of  his  residence  Dr.  Newton  has  several  hundreds  of 
sticks  and  crutches,  left  with  him  from  time  to  time  by  those  who  have  passed 
under  his  hands,  and  have  felt  that  they  no  longer  have  need  of  their  wooden 
supports.  This  collection  of  crutches  would  be  one  of  the  finest  investments 
that  Barnum  could  make,  and  we  should  not  be  surprised  if  he  were  to  nose 
them  out  before  long,  although  it  is  very  much  to  be  doubted  whether  the  Doctor 
could  be  induced  to  part  with  these  trophies  of  numerous  and  successful  en- 
counters with  grim  disease  in  almost  every  form.  But  seriously,  the  crutches 
are  a  study  in  themselves.  One  must  naturally  exclaim,  on  seeing  them  : — "  Is 
it  possible  that  this  man  could  have  cured  all  the  former  owners  of  these  compli- 
cated arrangements } "  There  are  short  crutches  and  long  crutches,  crutches 
stuffed  with  velvet  and  softened  with  cotton,  crutches  of  ancient  make  and  of 
modern  contrivance,  and  an  abundant  supply  of  sticks  and  props  of  every  kind. 
Each  is  numbered  according  to  its  period  of  deposit,  with  the  name  of  the  owner, 
his  place  of  residence  and  the  nature  of  the  disease  with  which  he  or  she  had 
been  afflicted.  The  sufferers  principally  labored  under  curvatures  of  the  verte- 
brae, caries  of  the  spine  and  swellings.  They  were  relieved  \n  one  operation, 
and  finally  entirely  cured,  leaving  their  crutches  as  memorials  of  the  past. 

There  are  several  of  the  recent  patients  of  the  Doctor  who  still  visit  him  at 
his  residence,  and  when  there  they  are  quite  willing  to  answer  any  reasonable 
question  put  to  them  as  to  the  nature  of  their  cures,  and  the  amount  and  kind  of 
suffering  they  endured  before  they  had  been  cured.  Our  reporter  conversed 
with  several  of  these — ladies  and  gentlemen — and  could  find  no  reason  for  doubt- 
ing their  testimony,  which  was  generally  as  clear  and  precise  as  it  could  be. 

On  being  questioned  as  to  his  means  of  curing,  he  stated  that  it  was  utterly 
impossible  for  him  to  convey  any  adequate  idea  of  the  vitality  which  he  brings 
into  use.  He  was  satisfied  that  he  possessed  this  curing  power  in  his  system  to 
such  a  degree  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  him  to  operate  upon  a  diseased 
subject  without  imparting  to  him  a  considerable  portion  of  his  vital  force. 

In  treating  a  patient  all  he  does  is  to  lay  his  hands  on  him,  and  rub  the 
affected  parts  with  considerable  vigor;  the  sufferer  of  course  wincing  and  dodg- 
ing under  the  powerful  and  unaccommodating  arm  of  the  operator.  On  these  oc- 
casions the  muscles  of  his  body  become  distended  to  a  surprising  extent,  the 
'flexors  and  extensors  of  his  arm  becoming  as  firm  as  whipcord.  In  cases  of 
deafness,  he  places  a  piece  of  white  and  another  of  blue  flannel  over  the  ears  and 
head,  manipulates  rapidly  for  several  minutes,  and  then  blows  into  the  ear. 

Our  reporter  saw  several  of  these  cases,  which,  to  all  appearances,  were  cured 
in  from  five  to  six  minutes,  as  the  patients  when  they  entered  could  not  hear  a 
word,  but  went  out  hearing  questions  and  answering  them  with  comparative  ease 
and  readiness. 

The  Doctor  attends  to  from  sixty  to  seventy  patients  every  morning,  and  on 
an  average  from  one  hundred  and  twenty  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  every  day. 

Out  of  all  these  patients  he  does  not  receive  payment  but  for  about  twenty 


IN    NEW    YORK    CITY.  47 

out  of  one  hundred.  On  the  poor  and  needy  he  operates  without  charge  ;  but 
others  are  expected  to  pay  according  to  their  means  and  position  in  life. 

It  may  be  mentioned  that  Dr.  Newton  is  a  strong  believer  in  the  certain  effi- 
cacy of  faith  and  prayer;  he  thinks  that  the  power  which  Christ  gave  to  his 
Apostles  to  cure  diseases  is  still  in  existence,  and  is  only  suspended  for  the  want 
of  faith.  But  lest  any  branch  of  the  church  should  be  gaping  to  swallow  him  up 
as  a  living  example  of  the  truth  of  their  particular  dogma,  it  may  as  well  be 
stated  at  once  that  the  Doctor,  though  positive  in  his  faith  and  idea  of  curing,  is 
nevertheless  a  very  negative  kind  of  a  Christian,  seeing  that  he  has  never  been 
baptized,  and  that  he  regards  all  kinds  of  churches  in  the  same  light.  Faith  in 
Christ,  and  prayer,  he  thinks,  are  the  only  true  conservators  of  his  power. 

We  have  thus  very  briefly  given  the  most  important  features  of  this  man,  who 
is  now  amongst  us  revolutionizing  the  laws  and  experience  of  Hygeia.  That  he 
is  doing  a  great  deal  of  good  those  whom  he  has  cured  will  readily  testify,  and  if 
he  ever  does  any  harm  it  will  be  as  readily  known.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that 
his  influence  lies  altogether  in  the  great  amount  of  electricity  contained  in  his 
frame.  Taking  all  his  cures  which  we  have  not  seen  cum  grano  salis,  it  must  be 
acknowledged  that  he  has  only  acted  upon  his  patients  like  a  magnetic  battery. 
It  is  not  the  province  of  the  reporter  to  enter  into  any  disquisition  on  the  laws 
which  regulate  magnetic  or  electric  science,  but  it  is  well  and  familiarly  known 
in  the  theory  and  practice  of  medicine  that  many  diseases  which  have  failed  to 
yield  to  every  other  kind  of  treatment  have  been  eventually  forced  to  give  way  to 
the  subtle  agency  of  magnetism.  But  these  cures  are  not  always  permanent. 
What  tlie  effect  of  a  living  electric  battery  like  Dr.  Newton  must  be  remains  to 
be  examined,  so  that  justice  might  be  done  whenever  it  may  be  due. 

The  following  statement  is  from  Dr.  Bryant,  Dr.  Newton's  secre- 
tary while  in  New  York  at  this  time.  Dr.  N.  imparted  the  power 
of  healing  to  this  gentleman,  and  he  afterwards  effected  many  re- 
markable cures. 

STATEMENT    OF    FACTS   TO    THE   AFFLICTED  ! 

To  the  Editors  of  the  Sunday  Times  : 

I  am  repeatedly  called  upon  by  friends  and  strangers  who  ask  my  opinion  in 
regard  to  the  treatment  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  now  located  at  No.  32  East  Eigh- 
teenth street,  near  Broadway,  N.  Y., — his  mode  of  operation,  its  effect,  etc.,  etc. — 
till  it  has  become  necessary  for  me  to  seek  some  channel  through  which  I  can 
give  the  desired  information,  making  it  general,  and  consume  less  of  my  time  ; 
therefore  I  have  selected  this  journal  for  my  purpose,  and  in  giving  the  public 
an  account  of  what  may  seem  miraculous,  I  feel  no  delicacy,  from  the  fact  that  I 
believe  I  am  doing  suffering  humanity  an  act  of  charity.  Having  spent  nearly 
all  my  time  for  three  years  past  under  treatment  of  some  of  our  best  physicians, 
at  hydropathic  institutions,  mineral  springs,  etc.,  trying  all  sorts  of  remedies,  and 
obtaining  no  relief  or  satisfaction,  and  being  pronounced  by  the  medical  fraternity 
as  incurable,  I  was  induced  to  try  Dr.  Newton.     Without  hope,  almost  helpless. 


48  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

having  nearly  lost  the  use  of  my  limbs,  suffering  excruciating  pain,  and  longing 
for  the  time  to  come  when  death  would  set  me  free,  I  submitted  to  the  operation 
as  a  last  resort.  It  did  not  consume  more  than  fifteen  minutes'  time,  when  I  was 
entirely  free  from  pain,  and  walked  away,  declining  the  assistance  of  my  two 
favorite  canes,  and  am  now  in  perfect  health.  Hundreds  of  my  friends  knew  my 
situation,  and  are  astonished  at  my  sudden  restoration,  pronouncing  it  mirac- 
ulous, etc.  Your  ob't  servant, 

J.  P.  Bryant. 

"  The  attendance  at  Dr.  Newton's  at  this  time,"  says  a  narrator,  "  was  very 
large.  His  house,  which  would  accommodate  about  two  hundred  people,  was 
usually  filled,  and  often  a  thousand  persons  waited  outside,  making  the  con- 
fusion so  great  that  policemen  were  constantly  required  to  preserve  order. 
There  were  many  and  remarkable  cures  effected,  and  many  interesting  cases. 
Among  them  may  be  noticed  the  cure  of  Mrs.  England,  wife  of  J.  W.  England, 
then  city  editor  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  and  later  of  the  New  York  Sun. 

"  Mrs.  England  had  been  paralyzed  in  the  lower  limbs  four  years.  Mr,  Eng- 
land called  on  the  Doctor,  who,  after  hearing  a  description  of  the  case,  said, 
'  Yes  :  I  can  cure  your  wife.'  She  was  accordingly  brought  to  his  rooms. 
After  working  upon  the  diseased  parts  half  an  hour  without  any  visible  change, 
the  Doctor  said  :  *  I  told  you,  Mr.  England,  that  I  would  cure  your  wife,  and  I 
will  do  so.  This  is  Thursday.  On  Saturday  she  will  be  well.  At  six  o'clock 
set  her  up  at  the  tea-table.  She  will  drink  a  cup  of  tea,  and  afterward  rise  upon 
her  feet,  cured.'  She  returned  home.  Meantime  the  Doctor  operated  upon  her 
several  times  at  a  distance.  Nothing  was  heard  from  her  till  Sunday  morning, 
when  a  note  from  Mr,  England  informed  the  Doctor  that  his  household  was  in 
a  state  of  great  excitement ;  that  events  had  transpired  in  precisely  the  manner 
and  at  the  time  he  had  foretold  ;  that  his  wife  was  cured,  walked  half  a  mile 
Saturday  evening,  and  her  joy  and  that  of  her  friends  was  unbounded. 

"  This  cure  savored  so  strongly  of  the  miraculous  that  Mr.  Greeley  refused  to 
publish  an  account  of  it  in  the  Tribune.  It  was,  however,  published  in  another 
paper.  * 

"  Another  case  was  that  of  Mrs.  Borasso,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.  Her  physician.  Dr. 
Woodruff,  brought  her  to  Dr.  N.  to  be   cured  of  polypus  in  the  nose.     The 

*  In  reference  to  the  foregoing  statement,  the  editor  has  received  the  following; 

"  Publication  Office  of  '  Thk  Sun,' 
••  New  York,  Jan.  i,  1876. 
♦'  A.  E.  Nbwton, 

"  Sir, — In  reply  to  your  inquiry  in  regard  to  the  case  of  Mrs.  England,  now  deceased,  I 
regarded,  and  still  believe,  that  Dr.  James  R.  Newton  was  the  instrument  of  her  cure.  She 
suffered  no  return  of  the  paralysis,  and  lived  eleven  years  siter.  The  case  was  published  over 
my  ovm  name  in  the  New  York  Sunday  Courier,  Mr.  Jas.  L.  Smith,  proprietor,  the  same  year. 
*  #  *  *  I  ^as  also  cognizant  of  many  other  wonderful  cures  effected  about  that  time  by  the 
same  gentleman. 

"Very  truly,  J.  W.  Enguwnd." 


IN   NEW   YORK    CITY. 


49 


Doctor  said,  *  I  can  cure  you,  but  not  instantly.     In  nine  days  and  nine  hours 
you  will  be  cured.' 

"  Such  was  the  interest  in  the  matter,  faith  in  some  and  incredulity  in  others, 
that  many  people  awaited  the  hour  with  intense  anxiety.  A  few  moments  before 
the  time  specified  by  Dr.  N.,  Mrs.  B.'s  face  underwent  a  series  of  contortions 
and  nervous  twitchings,  and  immediately  she  removed  the  polypus  with  her 
fingers  and  laid  it  on  the  table.  The  truth  of  this  strange  cure  may  be  substan- 
tiated by  many  people." 


Among  a  list  of  cures  published  at  that  time  are  the  following : 

Mrs.  Mary  Matchet,  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  rheumatism ;  lame  sixteen  years ; 
could  not  stand ;  cured  in  fifteen  minutes,  and  walked  without  limping. 

Mrs.  James  B.  Stringham,  Bergen  Point,  N.  J.,  neuralgia  and  liver  com- 
plaint— a  very  bad  case — cured  entirely  in  two  operations. 

Chas.  W.  Dunn,  ii  Fourth  Place,  Brooklyn,  14  years  old,  cancerous  humor 
in  nose  10  years,  with  great  discharge  at  his  ears,  and  deaf;  perfectly  cured. 

Mrs.  Catharine  Cook,  13  North  3rd  st.,  Williamsburg,  lame  ankle  and 
general  debility,  could  not  sleep  without  anodyne  for  3  years — cured. 

Wm.  Van  Wart,  228  Atlantic  st,  Brooklyn,  lame  5  years,  confined  most  of 
the  time ;  made  to  walk  4  miles  by  one  operation  ;  left  crutch. 

Wm.  Easman,  163  Cherry  St.,  N.  Y.,  paralysis  21  months,  restored  in  ten 
minutes ;  walked  6  miles  without  limping  ;  age,  57. 

Mrs.  J.  H.  Newman,  Cambridge,  W^ashington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  i>rolapsus  uteris 
internal  ulcers  and  general  debility  for  six  years,  had  not  been  dressed  for  two 
years,  and  was  unable  to  walk  for  four  and  a  half  years ;  cured  with  one  opera- 
tion. 

Mrs.  Anna  Horr,  No.  2  King  St.,  N.  Y.,  rheumatism  12  years  ;  cured  in  ten 
minutes. 

Mrs.  Jacob  Sharp,  137  West  22d  st.,  N.  Y.,  heart  disease  16  years  ;  cured. 

Amos  A.  Wilcox,  Westbrook,  Conn.,  wry  neck  and  paralyzed  arm,  six 
years ;  arm  cured  at  once,  and  head  to  move  freely. 

George  WashingtoSi  Orr,  53d  st.,  near  Sixth  ave.,  lame  knee  and  spine  ; 
cured  and  left  his  crutches. 

Mrs.  Mary  A.  King,  Williamsburg,  N.  Y.,  cured  of  heart  disease. 

Mrs.  S.  HiGGiNS,  Norwich,  Conn.,  could  scarcely  walk  for  15  years  ;  cured 
to  walk  miles. 

Chester  W.  Freer,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  weak  and  inflamed  eyes,  and 
deaf,  cured ;  formerly  of  a  delicate  constitution,  now  quite  robust. 

Joseph  Font,  254  Houston  street,  cured  of  hip  disease,  five  years'  standing. 

P.  Heresey,  463  Fourth  St.,  rheumatism  ten  years ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Margaret  Herring,  Herringtown,  N.  J.,  cancer ;  cured. 

Miss  Phebe  Atkins,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  could  not  speak  above  a  whisper  for  one 
and  a  half  years ;  was  made  to  speak  as  clear  as  any  one  in  ten  minutes. 

Mrs.  Jennie  George,  Newark,  N.  J.,  epilepsy  j  spasms  5  years ;  cured. 
4 


5©  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Clara  W.  Odekirk,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  could  not  speak  above  a  whisper ;  restored 
to  a  clear  voice  at  once. 

William  Hartkopf,  333  Rivington  St.,  neuralgia  ;  cured. 

R.  S.  Prentiss,  21  East  Sixth  St.,  very  weak  eyes  4  years;  cured  in  five 
minutes. 

Michael  Fitzgerald,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  rheumatism,  swelled  and  stiff  joints  ; 
cured. 

Mrs.  Eleanor  Westervelt,  129th  st.,  Harlem,  deafness ;  cured  with  one 
operation. 

Miss  Agnes  M.  Hall,  125  Thomas  st.,  Newark,  N.  J.,  could  not  open  her 
mouth  for  five  years ;  was  made  to  open  her  mouth  as  free  as  any  one  in  a  few 
minutes. 

Miss  Mary  Ward,  Troy,  N.  Y.,  cured  of  fever  sore. 

Mrs.  Martha  Rider,  Cornwall,  N.  Y.,  rheumatism,  could  not  walk  for  two 
years  ;  cured  to  walk  well  in  30  minutes. 

Mrs.  James  Anna,  Nyack,  Rockland  Co.,  N.  '^ .^ prolapsus  uteri  26  years; 
perfectly  cured  with  one  operation. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Slee,  Richard  st.,  Newark,  N,  J.,  cured  of  thirty  years'  deaf- 
ness. 

Peter  Kelly,  Sailors'  Snug  Harbor,  could  not  stand  alone,  can  now  walk 
well ;  left  his  crutches. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  MRS.  WILLIAM  BAMBER. 

Boonesville,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  31,  1862. 

This  is  to  certify  that  I  was  taken  sick  three  years  ago  last  February,  with 
chronic  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  which  terminated  in  an  ovarian  tumor  in  my 
left  side.  It  was  drawn  to  a  head  and  discharged  fifteen  months.  It  affected 
my  hip  and  limb  so  much,  that  the  cords  became  contracted  and  I  could  not  set 
my  foot  down  to  the  floor.  The  knee-pan  was  immovable  and  calloused,  my 
limb  was  nearly  paralyzed  and  cold  all  the  time.  I  had  not  been  able  to  walk  at 
all,  or  sit  up  much  of  the  time  for  three  years  and  three  months  before  I  saw  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton.  I  was  afflicted  with  a  severe  cough  for  about  three  months 
previous  to  my  going  there,  and  expectorated  a  great  deal,  had  constant  pain 
through  my  lungs  and  shoulders ;  I  was  also  troubled  with  dyspepsia  and  cur- 
vature of  the  spine  very  badly,  which  caused  me  much  pain  and  suffering. 

My  attending  physician  for  the  first  eighteen  months  was  Dr.  Walter 
Booth,  of  this  village,  a  very  estimable  allopathic  physician,  with  extensive  prac- 
tice. We  had  for  counsel  Dr.  Bass  of  this  place,  Dr.  Runge,  of  Constableville, 
Lewis  Co.,  and  Dr.  Gillett,  of  Western,  Oneida  Co.,  and  several  others  were  em- 
ployed during  my  sickness,  but  without  any  permanent  relief.  In  May  last  I 
was  advised  by  Mrs.  Peck,  of  Oswego,  who  had  been  cured  of  lung  diseases  by 
Dr.  Newton,  to  go  and  see  him,  as  she  was  almost  sure  I  would  receive  benefit. 
My  husband  took  me  there  ;  it  was  a  great  effort  for  me  to  go,  as  I  was  almost 


IN    NEW   YORK    CITY.  51 

as  helpless  as  an  infant.  I  was  taken  from  the  carriage  and  carried  to  his  room 
in  a  chair.  The  first  operation  he  straightened  my  spine,  loosened  the  knee- 
pan,  and  straightened  my  limb,  and  I  was  enabled  to  walk  about  the  room  with 
only  a  cane  to  support  me.  After  the  second  operation  I  could  walk  about  some 
without  any  assistance,  and  after  the  third  I  walked  with  the  help  of  a  cane  down 
two  flights  of  stairs  and  out  to  the  carriage  and  got  in  alone.  I  was  obliged  to 
walk  with  a  cane  about  three  months.  I  am  well  of  that  now,  and  able  to  work 
and  go  where  I  please.  I  am  confident  that  I  would  have  been  confined  to  my 
room  now  and  unable  to  walk  had  I  not  gone  to  Dr.  Newton,  for  medicines 
did  not  reach  my  disease,  and  I  feel  that  I  owe  the  preservation  of  my  life  to  his 
treatment. 

MRS.  WM.  BAMBER. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  this  31st  day  of  December,  1862. 

ISAAC  GILBERT,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  R.  H.  HAVENS. 

This  is  to  certify  that  I,  R.  H.  Havens,  of  Fair  Haven,  Conn.,  had  my  leg 
broke  on  the  ist  of  November,  1855.  The  knee  was  drawn  up  and  calloused  for 
six  years.  I  tried  all  the  eminent  physicians  I  could  find,  to  see  if  my  leg  could 
be  straightened  and  healed,  but  all  to  no  effect ;  they  all  pronounced  me  incur- 
able ;  I  used  two  crutches.  I  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R  Newton,  and  as  a  last  resort 
had  him  treat  me.  He  straightened  my  leg  and  cured  me,  and  I  left  my  crutches 
with  him,  having  no  further  use  for  them.  I  can  walk  ten  miles  any  day,  and 
jump  with  any  other  living  man. 

R.  H.  HAVENS, 
Fair  Haven,  Conn. 
New  Haven   County,  city  of  New   Haven,  January  6th,  1863. — Personally 
appeared  before  me,  Mr.  R.  H.  Havens,  the  signer  of  the  foregoing,  and  made 
solemn  oath  that  the  same  is  true. 

GEO.  H.  WATROUS,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  GARDNER  ROWSE. 

Central  Village,  Conn.,  Dec.  25th,  1862. 

I,  Gardner  Rowse,  depose  and  say,  that  having  been  for  the  last  thirty  years 
afflicted  with  an  occasional  eruption,  or  breaking  out  of  humors  in  my  leg  ;  and 
for  the  last  two  years  previous  to  the  first  of  May  last,  a  continual  eruption  or 
running,  attended  with  great  heat  and  irritation,  insomuch  that  I  was  obliged  to 
resort  to  cold  water  baths  frequently  in  the  night  to  enable  me  to  secure  my 
needful  sleep  to  sustain  life. 

Having  consulted  many  doctors  to  no  effect,  and  as  life  was  becoming  intol- 
erable, I  was  induced,  in  May  last,  with  no  faith  whatever,  but  as  a  last  resor^ 


52  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

to  visit  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton.  To  my  agreeable  surprise  and  disappointment,  after 
consulting  him  and  receiving  his  treatment,  in  less  than  three  days  my  leg  was 
entirely  healed,  and  has  continued  to  remain  so  ever  since.  And  I  stand 
pledged  for  five  dollars  to  run  or  jump  with  any  man  of  my  age  and  weight  that 
can  be  produced,  without  any  exceptions  being  taken  for  the  once  lame  leg. 

(Signed,)  GARDNER  ROWSE. 

State  of  Connecticut,  ) 

Windham  County.        \  ^^'  Plainfield,  Dec.  25th,  1862. 

Personally  appeared  Gardner  Rowse,  the  signer  of  the  above  deposition,  and 
made  solemn  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  same,  before  me. 

LYMAN  SPAULDING, 

Justice  of  the  Peace. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  C.  B.  VINCENT. 

This  is  to  certify,  that  I,  Corsina  B.  Vincent,  have  been  lame,  at  times 
severely  so,  for  twenty  years.  In  the  winter  and  spring  of  1861  I  became  worse, 
and  in  May  helpless,  and  was  confined  to  my  bed  and  could  not  be  moved  from 
it  for  five  months.  Then  crutches  were  obtained,  and  with  their  aid  (for  I  could 
not  be  carried)  I  could  get  to  the  lounge  while  my  bed  was  made ;  at  no  time 
did  I  sit  up  for  an  hour  for  more  than  a  year. 

In  June,  1862,  a  friend  advised  me  to  see  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  but  we  had  em- 
ployed skilful  doctors  of  many  places,  and  they  had  pronounced  me  incurable. 
It  was  not  thought  possible  for  me  to  bear  the  fatigue  of  the  journey,  but  I  would 
take  no  denial.  I  went  with  the  help  of  my  crutch  still.  I  visited  Dr.  Newton, 
remained  under  his  treatment  for  a  few  moments,  arose  and  walked  across  the 
room,  and  have  never  used  crutches  since. 

My  illness  and  the  cure  are  well  known  here  ;  many  names  could  be  obtained 
of  my  friends  and  neighbors  to  attest  the  truth  of  what  I  here  depose. 

CORSINA  B.  VINCENT. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me,  this  31st  December,  1862. 

GEORGE  GRAHAM,  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
of  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  B.  FRANKLIN 

State  of  New  York,      )  ^^ 
City  and  County  of  New  York.  ) 

Benjamin  Franklin,  of  said  city  and  State,  being  duly  sworn,  deposes  and 
says :  That  for  thirteen  years  before  May  ist,  1861,  he  had  been  afflicted  with  en- 
largement of  the  left  knee  joint,  and  for  seven  years  previous  to  the  ist  day  of 
May,  1861,  he  was  also  afflicted  with  abscesses  around  the  left  knee  joint,  vary- 
ing in  number  at  various  times  during  that  period  from  sixteen  to  seven ;  that 


IN    NEW   YORK    CITY.  53 

these  abscesses  discharged  constantly ;  that  during  the  said  seven  years  depo- 
nent always  was  compelled  to  use  at  least  one  crutch,  and  frequently  two,  and 
often  a  crutch  and  a  cane  ;  that  during  that  whole  period  of  thirteen  years 
deponent  was  under  the  treatment  and  charge  of  various  physicians  in  the  State 
of  Massachusetts  and  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was  at  no  time  during  that 
period  without  treatment  for  his  disease  ; — that  during  the  whole  of  that  period 
deponent  could  not  bear  any  continuous  weight  upon  his  left  leg,  and  never 
moved  out  door^  or  about  his  business  without  crutches  or  a  crutch  and  cane  as 
aforesaid ;  that  the  treatment  of  said  physicians  never  resulted  in  any  permanent 
cure,  and  hardly  accomplished  any  temporary  good  ;  that  it  did  not  close  the 
abscesses  nor  strengthen  the  knee  ;  that  on  the  second  day  of  May,  1861,  depo- 
nent called  upon  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  at  his  rooms,  number  32  East  i8th  street,  in 
the  city  of  New  York ;  that  deponent  was  then  and  there  operated  upon  by  the 
said  Dr.  Newton,  for  the  before  described  disease  ;  that  deponent  went  to  said 
Doctor's  rooms  with  his  crutch  as  usual ;  that  after  the  operation  and  treatment 
by  said  Dr.  Newton,  deponent  walked  down  Broadway,  to  the  corner  of  Ninth 
street,  without  using  his  crutch,  which  was  carried  for  that  distance  by  a  friend 
who  was  with  deponent  at  the  time ;  that  deponent  from  that  day  until  this  has 
never  used  his  crutch  and  never  has  felt  any  necessity  for  using  it ;  that  all  the 
said  abscesses  healed  within  four  weeks  of  said  treatment ;  that  his  knee  became 
strong,  and  that  deponent  now  uses  his  .left  leg  with  the  same  freedom  as  his 
right ;  that  he  can  and  does  walk  miles  without  a  cane  or  any  assistance  what- 
ever, and  that  he  considers  his  cure  permanent. 

BENJ.  FRANKLIN. 
Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me,  this  7th  day  of  January,  1863. 

D.  JONES  GRAIN, 
Commissioner  for  Pennsylvania,  residing  in  the  city  of  New  York. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  MARY  M.  OWEN. 

State  of  New  York,  j 

•  City  and  County  of  New  York,      f  ^^* 

Mary  M.  Owen,  of  said  city  and  county,  being  duly  sworn,  deposes  and 
says:  That  for  several  years  previous  to  May,  A.  D.  1861,  she  was  afflicted  with 
the  asthma  so  that  she  was  unable  to  ascend  a  flight  of  stairs  without  resting,  or 
to  walk,  except  short  distances,  without  great  pain ;  that  about  the  time  above 
mentioned  she  called  upon  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  in  relation  to  the  same  ;  that  she 
was  so  much  relieved  by  him  that  she  is  now  able  to  ascend  the  stairs  and  to 
walk  a  distance  of  a  mile  without  any  apparent  inconvenience.  And  further 
deponent  saith  not. 

MARY  M.  OWEN. 

Sworn  before  me  this day  of  January,  A.  D.  1863. 

GEO.  KELLOCK,  Comm'r  of  Deeds, 

No.  I  Bond  St.,  N.  Y. 


54  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  WILLIAM  H.  VAN  WART. 

State  of  New  York,  ) 

County  of  Kings,  City  of  Brooklyn.   )      ' 

William  H.  Van  Wart,  of  No.  185  Sands  street,  in  said  city,  being  duly  sworn, 
says ;  That  some  time  during  the  month  of  March,  1856,  he  met  with  a  fall 
which,  as  he  was  informed  and  believes,  resulted  in  the  hip  disease  ;  that  since 
that  time  he  has  been  treated  by  several  eminent  physicians  of  said  city,  and  has 
found  no  permanent  relief  therefrom ;  and  further,  that  the  last  physician  with 
whom  he  treated  informed  this  deponent  that  he  was  incurable. 

Deponent  further  says :  That  for  the  space  of  two  years  subsequent  to  said 
accident,  and  while  under  medical  treatment,  he  was  confined  to  the  house,  and 
the  balance  of  the  time,  until  treated  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  he  was  compelled  to 
travel  upon  crutches. 

Deponent  further  says  :  That  after  he  was  pronounced  incurable  he  heard  of 
said  Dr.  Newton,  and  after  undergoing  treatment  without  pain  by  him,  he  was 
able  to  walk  with  a  cane  immediately,  and  on  the  following  day  walked  four 
miles. 

Deponent  further  says  :  That  he  verily  believes  that  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  said  Dr.  Newton  he  is  now  entirely  free  from  said  disease,  and  for 
which  said  Dr.  Newton  made  no  charge. 

WILLIAM  H.  VAN  WART. 

Sworn  before  me  this  20th  day  of  January,  1863. 

ED.  C.  MOREHOUSE,  Commissioner  of  Deeds. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  CLARK  MASTIN. 

State  of  New  York,     )  ^^ 
Cayuga  County.  ) 

Clark  Mastin,  of  the  city  of  Auburn,  in  said  county,  being  duly  sworn,  deposes 
and  says:  That  in  the  month  of  March,  1861,  he  was  attacked  with  Sciatic  Neu- 
ralgia, and  at  different  times  he  was  treated  by  six  different  physicians,  all  and 
each  of  whom  said  they  could  do  him  no  good,  nor  cure  him.  That  he  could" 
only  walk  on  crutches  and  was  a  great  sufferer ;  he  continued  the  use  of  crutches, 
and  on  or  about  the  ist  day  of  December,  1861,  he  placed  himself  under  the  care 
and  treatment  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton ;  at  that  time  this  deponent  could  not  walk 
without  crutches,  nor  could  he  put  his  foot  to  the  floor.  After  the  first  opera- 
tion of  the  said  Dr.  Newton  upon  the  leg  of  this  deponent,  he  walked  that  same 
day  about  three  miles  without  the  aid  of  a  crutch  or  cane.  This  was  the  first  time 
this  deponent  had  walked  without  the  aid  of  a  crutch  or  cane  since  his  first 
attack  in  March,  1861.  This  deponent  had  one  other  operation  on  his  leg  by  the 
said  Dr.  Newton,  and  this  deponent  has  now  wholly  recovered. 

CLARK  MASTIN. 
Sworn  to  before  me,  January  2,  1863. 

HORACE  T.  COOK, 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  Cayuga  Co. 


IN    NEW   YORK    CITY.  55 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  MRS.  S.  H.  LOCKWOOD. 

New  York,  January  6,  1863. 
In  justice  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  from  a  deep  sense  of  gratitude,  also  for 
the  benefit  of  suffering  humanity,  I  hereby  certify  that  for  sixteen  years  I  was 
severely  afflicted  with  prolapsus  uteri.  During  that  time  I  was  obliged  to  wear 
Dr.  Banning's  abdominal  supporter  ;  without  it,  I  was  not  able  to  stand  straight, 
or  to  remain  even  in  a  sitting  posture  for  the  space  of  half  an  hour.  I  tried 
many  remedies  and  was  at  considerable  expense  without  deriving  any  benefit. 
I  despaired  of  ever  being  any  better,  supposing  my  case  incurable.  In  October, 
1861,  by  the  advice  of  some  friends  who  had  witnessed  some  of  his  cures,  I  was 
induced  to  try  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  in  a  few  minutes'  treatment  by  him  I  was 
able  to  stand  perfectly  erect  without  the  aid  of  the  supporter  ;  was  fully  restored, 
and  remain  so  till  this  time. 

MRS.  SUSAN  H.  LOCKWOOD,      . 
87  Horatio  street.  New  York  City. 

State  of  New  York, 
^  and  County  of  New  Yoi 

Susan  H.  Lockwood,  being  sworn,  says  that  the  foregoing  statement  by  her 
subscribed  is  true  of  her  knowledge.  Before  me,  this  7th  day  of  January,  A.  D. 
1863. 

W.  S.  PINCKNEY, 
Notary  Public,  City  of  New  York. 


56  THE    MODERN   BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  V. 

I  N   P H ILAD ELP H I A  . 

Supposed  "  Miracles." — Opposition  of  professed  Christians. — Support  of  influential  Citi- 
zens.— The  Press  divided. — Notable  Cures. — Attempt  at  Blackmail. — Arrest  and 
Trial  of  Dr.  Newton. — Great  Interest. — The  Prosecution  breaks  down. — Acquittal 
amid  the  Cheers  of  the  People. — Affidavits  of  a  large  number  of  Patients. 

After  a  year  of  hard  labor  in  New  York,  Doctor  Newton  took  a 
week's  rest,  and  then  went  to  Philadelphia,  locating  himself  at 
1 2  02  Chestnut  street. 

"  Here  the  cures  were  so  astonishing,"  says  an  account,  "  that 
it  was  rumored  that  he  was  performing  miracles.  The  Doctor 
always  positively  denied  making  such  pretensions.  There  seemed 
to  be  a  spirit  of  opposition  abroad  against  this  supposed  new 
method  of  healing  disease.  It  prevailed  almost  entirely  among 
professing  Christians,  who  lifted  their  hands  in  holy  horror  at  what 
they  termed  '  the  works  of  the  devil.'  Notwithstanding,  however, 
the  sneers  of  unbelievers  and  the  hostility  of  the  church,  his  prac- 
tice there  was  a  grand  success,  and  his  triumph  over  opponents 
complete.  A  large  majority  of  influential  citizens  supported  him 
cordially,  and  his  practice  among  the  rich  and  poor  was  very  large. 
The  public  press  was  divided  in  opinions  respecting  the  method  of 
cure,  but  the  majority  regarded  it  superior  to  any  method  yet  dis- 
covered." 

Subjoined  are  two  noteworthy  cases  : — 

"  Geo.  Glover,  of  Woodbury,  New  Jersey,  bedridden  for  twelve  years,  with 
spinal  disease,  sent  for  the  Doctor  to  visit  him.  Ten  years  previously  he  had 
given  away  all  his  outer  clothing,  never  expecting  to  leave  his  bed.  With  ten 
minutes'  treatment  he  was  able  to  walk  around  the  house,  and  in  a  few  days 
visited  the  Doctor  at  Philadelphia." 

"  The  same  day  Miss  Mary  Lord,  of  Woodbury,  New  Jersey,  who  had  been 
bedridden  and  helpless  for  two  and  a  half  years,  was  raised  immediately,  and 
enabled  to  walk  down  stairs  and  out  upon  the  portico." 


IN    PHILADELPHIA.  5/ 

While  in  Philadelphia  at  this  time,  Dr.  Newton  was  the  subject 
of  a  very  annoying  prosecution,  with  an  attempt  to  extort  ''  black- 
mail," which  attracted  no  little  attention  throughout  the  country  at 
the  time.  Concerning  this  affair,  such  garbled  and  incorrect  re- 
ports were  set  afloat  by  prejudiced  tongues  and  the  hostile  portion 
of  the  press,  that  it  is  deemed  worth  while  to  present  the  real  facts 
in  these  pages.     They  are  as  follows : 

On  the  3d  of  December,  1862,  while  Dr.  Newton  was  attending  to  his  patients, 
an  officer  entered  his  rooms  with  a  warrant  for  his  arrest  on  a  charge  of  assault 
and  battery  on  a  little  child  about  three  years  of  age  !  He  was  taken  before  a 
magistrate,  and  required  to  give  bonds  (which  he  did  in  the  person  of  Dr.  Henry 
T.  Child)  for  his  appearance  for  trial. 

The  origin  of  this  absurd  charge  was  this :  Several  days  previously,  the  child, 
named  Eliza  Burgen,  had  been  brought  to  the  Doctor  by  her  parents  (who  were 
of  the  lower  class  of  Irish),  for  the  cure  of  a  stiff  knee.  The  child  was  constitu- 
tionally scrofulous,  and  the  Doctor  told  the  parents  that  he  could  not  perform  a 
cure,  but  could  help  her.  The  treatment  resulted  beneficially  to  the  knee,  the 
child  becoming  able  to  walk,  as  she  had  not  done  before  for  some  time.  No 
charge  was  made  by  the  Doctor  for  this  service.  A  few  days  subsequently,  a 
scrofulous  sore  appeared  on  the  little  girl's  back,  which  the  ignorant  parents  at- 
tributed to  the  Doctor's  treatment,  and  imagined  he  had  dislocated  her  back- 
bone !     Hence  this  prosecution. 

After  many  vexatious  delays,  the  trial  was  set  for  the  third  of  March  follow- 
ing. In  the  mean  time,  Dr.  Newton  was  called  upon  to  name  a  sum  he  would 
pay  to  settle  the  matter ;  but,  regarding  it  as  a  clear  case  of  blackmail,  he  refused 
to  settle  it  in  that  way.  The  action  was  brought  by  one  Lewis  Cassidy,  on  be- 
half of  the  child's  father.  The  prosecutor,  however,  did  not  appear  in  court  at 
all,  doubtless  knowing  that  he  had  no  case,  but  he  turned  the  matter  over  to  the 
District  Attorney.  The  trial  was  had  in  the  Philadelphia  Court  of  Quarter  Ses- 
sions, Judge  Allison  presiding.  The  court  room  was  filled,  and  great  interest 
was  manifested — the  public  feeling  being  strongly  on  the  Doctor's  side.  Hun- 
dreds of  his  former  patients  had  come  voluntarily,  some  from  a  great  distance,  to 
give  testimony  in  his  behalf  if  required. 

The  following  account  of  the  proceedings  is  condensed  from 
the  Philaddphia  Inquirer  of  March  5,  1863  : — 

Several  witnesses  for  the  Commonwealth  were  examined,  among  them  the 
parents  of  the  child. 

The  mother  testified  that  the  child  was  now  three  and  a  half  years  old; 
that  on  the  day  before  Thanksgiving  day  of  last  year,  she  and  her  husband  had 
taken  the  little  girl  to  the  office  of  Dr.  Newton  for  the  cure  of  the  child's  knee, 
which  had  been  stiff  for  some  time  ;  that  during  the  treatment  the  child  was  on 
its  father's  lap,  with  its  face  downward ;  that  in  this  position  the  Doctor  pressed 


■58  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

one  hand  upon  her  back,  while  with  the  other  he  bent  her  limbs  back  and  forth 
several  times  ;  that  on  the  Sunday  following  the  child  complained  of  pain  in  her 
back,  which  the  mother  found,  on  examination,  to  proceed  from  the  sore  above 
referred  to. 

The  father  corroborated  the  testimony  of  the  mother. 

Several  physicians  were  also  examined,  who  said  that  pressure  on  the  spine 
must  be  very  severe  to  produce  such  a  sore,  and  that  acute  pains  would  immedi- 
ately follow.     They  had  never  heard  of  such  a  case,  however. 

[Dr.  Newton  states  that,  as  was  his  custom,  he  pressed  lightly  upon  the  spine.] 

Dr.  McClintock,  after  examining  the  child  in  an  adjoining  room,  testified, 
in  substance,  that  the  child  was  constitutionally  scrofulous.  The  kind  of  disease 
with  which  she  was  afflicted  may  be  evolved  constitutionally,  and  the  attention 
may  not  have  been  directed  to  it  until  it  became  sufficiently  developed  to  arrest 
attention.  It  may  have  come  on  insidiously  for  weeks  or  months  before  dis- 
covery. 

Surgeon  Duffy,  of  the  United  States  Army,  corroborated  the  statements  of 
Dr.  McClintock,  having  also  examined  the  child's  person.  The  child  was  clearly 
constitutionally  scrofulous.  On  being  asked,  Surgeon  Duffy  said  it  was  very 
improbable  that  the  child  could  have  been  injured  by  the  treatment  she  received. 

No  one  took  the  responsibility  of  testifying  that  Dr.  Newton  had  injured 
the  little  girl,  or  indeed  that  he  could  have  injured  her  by  the  operation  per- 
formed by  him.  It  was,  indeed,  generally  thought  that  the  disease  was  the  re- 
sult of  a  constitutionally  scrofulous  condition. 

District  Attorney  Mann  then  addressed  the  jury.  He  said  that  he  had  taken 
care  to  call  in  the  advice  of  the  most  eminent  physicians,  because  he  was  influ- 
enced by  a  doubt  as  to  the  guilt  of  the  defendant.  That  doubt  was  now  settled. 
Therefore  it  would  not  be  just  for  him  to  ask  the  jury  to  convict  the  defendant. 
It  was  the  duty  of  the  court  to  discard  all  prejudices.  There  was  no  evidence 
that  the  Doctor  had  acted  improperly.  His  treatment  might  have  produced  good, 
or  it  might  not.  But  he  had  done  no  harm.  There  was  nothing  to  show  crimin- 
ality on  the  part  of  Dr.  Newton.  He  was  clear  of  either  blame  or  cen- 
sure. 

The  jury,  after  a  few  moments'  consultation,  while  in  their  seats,  returned 
the  verdict  "  Not  Guilty."  At  the  announcement  of  the  verdict  there  was  a 
disposition  to  applaud  on  the  part  of  the  people  present,  but  the  cheers  were 
promptly  suppressed.* 

Thus  ended  the  trial,  no  witnesses  being  called  in  Dr.  Newton  s 
behalf.  At  the  close,  he  received  the  congratulations  of  his  numer- 
ous friends. 

*  [Note  by  Dr.  Nbwton. — Finding  the  testimony  of  some  of  the  witnesses,  as  reported  at 
the  above  trial,  to  be  erroneous,  and  the  account  to  be  incorrect  in  some  particulars,  I  have  re- 
quested the  editor  of  this  volume  to  condense  the  report  so  as  to  present  only  the  main  facts  in  the 
case.  I  take  the  whole  responsibility  of  this  change.  Those  who  may  desire  to  read  the  full  re- 
ports are  referred  to  the  Philadelphia  daily  papers  of  March,  1863. 

J.  R.  Newton.] 


IN   PHILADELPHIA.  59 

This  affair  cost  Dr.  N.  no  little  anxiety  and  trouble,  not  to 
mention  the  interruption  to  his  labors  and  the  great  expense. 
The  fact  that  the  child  had  been  treated  without  charge,  and  mate- 
rially benefited,  rendered  the  ungrateful  action  of  the  parents 
doubly  reprehensible.  Much  indignation  was  felt  and  expressed 
that  the  laws  of  the  State  were  such  as  to  permit  the  arrest  (and 
imprisonment,  unless  bonds  were  readily  procured)  of  an  innocent 
person  and  a  public  benefactor,  on  the  accusation  of  an  irrespon- 
sible party,  and  that  accusation  so  frivolous  and  groundless  as  in 
this  case. 

Among  those  who  stood  by  and  aided  Dr.  Newton  through  this 
vexatious  prosecution  were  Dr.  Child,  Dr.  Gardner,  Dr.  Henry  J. 
Burr,  and  others,  who  won  his  lasting  gratitude. 

Many  of  Dr.  Newton's  former  patients,  who  desired  to  testify 
in  his  behalf  before  the  court,  but  found  no  opportunity,  prepared 
and  furnished  to  him  affidavits  and  testimonials,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing are  specimens : — 

AFFIDAVIT   OF  JAMES   SWEENEY. 

My  family  reside  at  West  Chester,  Pa.,  where  they  heard  of  the  cures  by  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton.  I  could  not  credit  what  was  told,  but  to  my  surprise  I  have  a 
cure  to  relate  a  greater  than  all  I  had  heard,  in  a  case  of  my  wife,  who  had  not 
walked  a  step  for  nineteen  years.  I  took  her  to  Philadelphia  to  Dr.  Newton,  four 
months  since;  he  gave  her  his  usual  treatment,  ' causing  no  pain,  and  in  less 
than  thirty  minutes  bid  her  rise  and  walk ;  she  did  so,  to  the  astonishment  of 
many  present,  and  continues  to  walk  well  and  enjoy  good  health.  We  remained 
in  the  city  a  few  days ;  meanwhile,  the  news  was  carried  home,  and  crowds  were 
at  the  depot  to  welcome  the  once  afflicted,  among  whom  was  my  own  daughter, 
a  young  lady,  who,  seeing  her  mother  walk  the  first  time  ever,  fainted.  On  our 
arriving  home,  crowds  were  there  and  continued  to  come  to  behold  the  wonder. 

JAMES    SWEENEY. 

AflSrmed  and  subscribed  before  me  March  nth,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelphia.* 


•  A  note  of  inquiry  addressed  by  the  «ditor  of  this  volume  to  Mr.  Sweeney  elicited  the  follow- 
ing reply : 

«  West  Chester,  Pa.,  Dec.  15,  1875. 
"  To  A.  E.  Newton,  Esq. : 

"  Dear  Sir, —  *  *  *  In  answer  I  would  say,  that  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  state  that  it  is  true, 
not  only  that  my  wife  was  made  to  walk,  but  that  she  has  been  able  to  do  so  ever  since,  except  a 
short  time  when  she  was  disabled  by  having  her  back  injured.  She  is  still  able  to  go  about  and 
attend  to  her  house.  Yours,  respectfully,  JAMES  SWEENEY." 


60  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT   OF  JAMES   H.   HIBBARD. 

I  am  eighteen  years  of  age  ;  live  in  the  city  of  New  York,  at  the  Bull's  Head, 
Twenty-fourth  street,  Third  avenue  ;  I  had  spinal  disease  from  a  fall  eight  years 
ago.  Some  doctors  said  my  back  was  broke;  had  been  in  six  hospitals,  dis- 
charged by  all  and  pronounced  incurable ;  laid  in  bed  three  years ;  could  not 
move  or  stir ;  lost  the  use  of  my  limbs  entirely ;  when  I  came  to  Dr.  Newton  it 
would  take  me  an  hour  to  walk  one  hundred  feet  with  my  crutch ;  could  barely 
move  my  feet ;  sometimes  had  to  be  carried  across  the  street ;  after  an  operation 
of  six  minutes  by  Dr.  Newton  I  walked  two  miles,  without  rny  crutch  or  cane; 
the  second  operation  I  walked  five  miles,  and  the  third  operation  I  walked  nine 
miles;  after  that  I  walked  one  hundred  miles  in  five  days,  without  crutch  or 
cane,  and  have  been  well  ever  since  ;  I  have  since  walked  from  Philadelphia  to 
Washington.  JAMES  H.  HIBBARD. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelphia. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF  MARY   E.    WATSON. 

My  son,  William  Gary,  son  of  Marmaduke  Watson,  Principal  of  the  Price 
Grammar  School,  was  for  some  time  afflicted  with  spinal  curvature,  being  unable 
to  walk  without  great  difficulty.  His  limbs  were  very  much  swollen,  and  he 
was  rapidly  getting  worse,  until  he  saw  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  who  operated  upon 
him  and  perfectly  cured  him.  He  can  now  walk  six  miles  without  pain  or 
inconvenience.  MARY   E.    WATSON, 

No.  1766  Frankford  Road. 
Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

•  WM.   P.   HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  ANDREW  J.   HAY. 

March  4th,  1863. 
Andrew  J.  Hay :  live  at  Manayunk ;  my  wife,  for  three  years,  was  unable  to 
read,  write,  sew  or  any  thing  of  the  kind,  by  reason  of  debility  of  the  optic  nerve. 
Some  time  in  November,  1862, 1  took  her  to  see  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  who  operated 
upon  her  eyes.  Before  leaving  his  room  she  read  several  verses  of  Scripture, 
and  has  been  able  to  read  and  write  ever  since,  her  general  health  being  also 
much  improved.  ANDREW  J.   HAY, 

Pastor  First  Baptist  Ghurch. 
Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


IN    PHILADELPHIA.  6l 

AFFIDAVIT   OF  PETER  MANNING. 

Peter  Manning,  being  sworn,  deposes  and  says :  I  live  in  Bordentown,  New 
Jersey ;  on  the  30th  of  October,  1862,  I  called  on  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton ;  I  was  blind 
two  years  and  three  months ;  when  I  came  to  Dr.  Newton  I  was  so  bad  that  I 
could  not  see  a  gaslight  in  front  of  me  ;  after  ten  minutes'  treatment,  without 
pain,  I  was  enabled  to  see  to  read  and  write,  and  have  kept  my  own  books  ever 
since.  PETER   MANNING. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF   DAVID   ALLEN. 

David  Allen,  being  affirmed,  deposes  and  says:  I  live  in  the  city  of  Burling- 
ton, N  J. ;  am  in  my  67th  year  of  age ;  I  have  been  troubled  many  years  with 
spine  disease,  and  in  Februarj^  1861,  I  had  a  fall  and  broke  my  hip;  had  been 
under  the  care  of  an  eminent  physician  for  six  months;  for  a  year  and  nine 
months  could  not  walk  without  a  crutch ;  the  ^imb  was  stiff,  and  painful  to 
move.  After  fifteen  minutes,  treatment  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  I  could  use  the 
limb  as  well  as  the  other,  and  have  never  used  the  crutch  since. 

DAVID   ALLEN. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Aldermaa 


AFFIDAVIT   OF  LYDIA  ATKINSON. 

A  grandchild  of  mine,  John  Day  Longstreet,  had  a  fall  on  the  ice  last  winter, 
by  which  his  hip  was  greatly  injured,  and  he  became  lame,  trudging  his  foot 
along  as  if  dead,  having  no  control  over  it.  After  visiting  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  he 
recovered  the  perfect  use  of  his  limb.  Dr.  Newton  has  also  restored  to  me  the 
free  movement  of  my  left  ankle,  which  had  become  stiff  through  the  breaking  of 
the  limb  some  seven  years  ago.  My  son,  John  Longstreet,  who  was  lame  for 
twenty-six  years,  has  also  become  perfectly  cured  through  Dr.  Newton. 

LYDIA   ATKINSON, 
Burlington,  Burlington  County,  N.  J. 
Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me,  this  4th  day  of  March,  1S63. 

\VM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  D.   G.  TAYLOR. 

I  live  in  the  city  of  New  York ;  am  73  years  of  age ;  on  the  last  day  of 
December,  i860,  I  was  very  sick;  had  a  bad  cough  for  fifteen  or  twenty  years; 
it  was  said  to  be  consumption ;  at  this  time  I  was  taken  more  severely  ill  than  I 


62  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

had  been  perhaps  ever  before  ;  I  had  one  of  the  best  physicians  in  the  city  to 
attend  me  ;  he  told  my  wife  when  he  left  me  that  if  I  had  any  thing  to  settle  it 
had  better  be  attended  to,  for  I  would  live  probably  but  a  very  short  time.  Dr. 
Newton  came  in  and  treated  me,  and  in  ten  minutes  I  was  able  to  be  up  and 
dress  myself ;  the  next  day  I  walked  two  miles ;  my  health  has  been  good  ever 
since,  and  free  from  any  consumptive  symptoms. 

My  brother-in-law  was  also  cured  by  Dr.  Newton  of  insanity,  a  year  ago  last 
May,  and  my  wife  was  cured  of  weak  eyes ;  she  was  almost  blind  ;  a  tenant  of 
mine  was  also  cured  of  a  fistula ;  he  was  so  low  that  he  was  not  expected  to  live ; 
,  the  next  day  he  went  to  work  perfectly  cured ;  his  name  was  Mr.  Bick ;  I  know 
of  many  more  cures  of  like  nature  performed  by  Dr.  Newton. 

D.  G.  TAYLOR. 
Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF   C.   F.   MUENCH. 

I  reside  in  Harrisburgh,  Pa. ;  have  been  afflicted  with  rheumatism  since 
1829 ;  part  of  the  time  have  been  so  bad  that  I  was  drawn  quite  crooked ;  the 
least  cold  I  took  would  so  affect  me  with  lameness  that  I  was  obliged  to  use  two 
canes  to  enable  me  to  walk ;  I  was  also  afflicted  with  internal  bleeding,  and  after 
every  other  practice  had  failed  of  giving  me  any  relief,  I  was  induced  to  place 
myself  under  the  treatment  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  which  I  did  on  the  26th  of 
November,  1862,  from  which  time  I  have  enjoyed  perfect  health,  free  from  pain 
or  bleeding  ;  he  also  cured  me  of  varicose  veins  at  a  subsequent  treatment,  and 
at  this  time  there  is  no  appearance  of  any  return  of  any  of  the  above  afflictions. 

I  have  also  witnessed  a  number  of  cures  performed  upon  others  while  I  was 
under  his  treatment.  One  case,  where  a  man  came  on  crutches,  in  a  miserable 
condition;  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes  he  was  able  to  walk,  and  in  less  than 
twenty  minutes  he  ran  across  the  floor  and  down  stairs,  leaving  his  crutches  with 
the  Doctor. 

Another  case  :  A  colored  female  was  cured  of  paralysis,  her  hand  being 
entirely  useless.  In  less  than  ten  minutes  she  was  entirely  restored,  being  able 
to  lift  a  chair  above  her  head  with  ease.  C.  F.  MUENCH. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF   SARAH   C.   GLOVER. 

I  live  in  Woodbury,  New  Jersey;  my  father  has  been  troubled  with  spine 
disease  since  1838,  and  for  thirteen  years  confined  to  his  chamber,  unable  to  turn 
himself  in  bed  ;  could  not  bend  his  body  or  back  at  all ;  could  use  his  arms  but 
very  little  ;  with  ten  minutes'  treatment  from  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  he  was  enabled 
to  get  up  and  walk  and  go  down  stairs,  and  could  stoop  and  pick  any  thing  off 


IN    PHILADELPHIA.  63 

the  floor  with  ease,  and  bend  any  way ;  he  had  not  been  able  to  shave  himself 
for  ten  years  ;  he  continues  very  much  improved,  and  walks  out  daily,  and  now 
shaves  himself  regularly.  SARAH  C.  GLOVER. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF  JOHN   HERBERT. 

John  Herbert,  sworn :  I  am  forty-six  years  of  age,  and  reside  in  West 
Philadelphia  ;  am  engineer  at  the  Blockley  almshouse ;  I  suffered  for  weeks  at 
a  time  with  inflammatory  rheumatism ;  for  the  last  two  years,  at  times,  could  not 
turn  in  bed  ;  suffered  severe  pains  ;  it  would  pass  from  one  part  of  my  body  to 
another;  had  a  number  of  physicians,  but  had  no  permanent  relief;  my  feet 
much  swollen ;  in  ten  minutes'  treatment  by  Dr.  Newton  the  swelling  left  my 
feet,  and  I  was  relieved  of  all  pain  and  swelling ;  this  was  in  December  last ;  I 
had  a  second  operation  of  about  the  same  time  in  the  fore  part  of  February,  I 
think,  and  since  that  have  been  entirely  well,  and  have  no  return  of  the  disease. 

JOHN   HERBERT. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF  JOHN   CORKERY. 

I,  John  Corkery,  testify  and  say :  That  I  am  72  years  of  age,  and  live  at  No. 
1013  Carpenter  street,  Philadelphia;  I  have  been  partially  blind  for  twenty-two 
years ;  one  eye  I  could  not  open  at  all,  with  great  inflammation  of  the  lids,  and 
was  a  great  sufferer  from  pain ;  my  eyes  had  been  operated  upon  by  eminent 
physicians  several  times,  with  absolute  injury,  until  I  became  almost  entirely 
blind,  when,  in  the  month  of  October,  1862,  I  heard  of  the  wonderful  cures  of 
the  eyes  made  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  was  induced  to  visit  him,  when,  after 
two  or  three  operations,  the  inflammation  entirely  disappeared,  and  I  was  able 
to  open  my  eyes  and  could  see  as  well  as  most  men  of  my  age ;  he  also  restored 
my  hearing,  which  I  was  fast  losing,  and  am  now  able  to  see  and  hear  as  well  as 
most  folks,  and  my  general  health  has  improved  astonishingly,  so  that  I  appear 
twenty  years  younger  than  I  did  four  months  ago. 

JOHN   CORKERY 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  5th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  WILLIAM  V.  MANKIN. 
I  live  in  Woodbury,  New  Jersey.     On  the  21st  of  August,  1862,  I  was 


64  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

advised  by  Dr.  Gardiner  to  call  and  see  Dr.  Newton  for  a  cancer  on  the  cheek 
just  below  the  eye.  I  did  call  as  directed,  and  the  Doctor  (Newton)  treated  me 
for  it,  and  it  is  now  perfectly  cured.  I  had  a  career  eleven  years,  and  suffered 
pain  all  the  time.     Now  there  is  not  even  a  scar  remaining. 

WILLIAM  V.   MANKIN. 
Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me,  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF  ALICE  TAYLOR. 

For  some  three  years  and  a  half  I  was  without  the  use  of  my  voice  and  was 
lame  from  spinal  difficulties,  for  two  years  requiring  the  use  of  a  crutch.  Meet- 
ing Dr.  j.  R.  Newton,  on  the  17th  of  September  last,  in  the  cars,  he  told 
me  he  would  cure  me  in  ten  minutes.  I  accompanied  him  to  his  rooms,  and 
in  ten  minutes  my  voice  was  perfectly  restored,  and  I  was  cured  of  my  spinal 
disease  and  lameness.  I  have  been  well  ever  since.  I  have  had  a  great  many 
physicians  attending  me,  without  experiencing  any  benefits  arising  from  their 
treatment,  until  I  came  to  Dr.  Newton.  ALICE   TAYLOR. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF  ALICE  J.   WOODBURY. 

I  live  in  New  York  city.  No.  251  W.  Fifty-fourth  street ;  I  have  been  sick  for 
seventeen  years,  with  liver  complaint  and  dyspepsia  and  female  weakness ;  my 
stomach  had  become  so  weak  that  the  mucous  membrane  had  folded  over  and 
retained  the  food  until  it  rotted  on  the  stomach,  and  I  threw  it  up  in  that  state ; 
previous  to  this  my  feet  had  been  cold  for  four  days,  and  I  discharged  the  gall 
every  morning ;  my  case  puzzled  the  whole  medical  faculty ;  my  physician  said  I 
had  cancer  in  the  stomach  ;  I  was  given  over  to  die  ;  all  medical  aid  had  failed ; 
I  was  not  able  to  walk  alone ;  suffered  intensely,  beyond  expression  ;  in  this  con- 
dition I  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  my  husband  took  me  to  him ;  I  could 
not  walk ;  in  ten  minutes  I  was  perfectly  restored  to  health ;  the  size  around  my 
waist  diminished  five  or  six  inches  in  that  time  ;  the  Doctor  desired  me  to  walk 
across  the  room  with  him ;  he  then  said  to  me,  you  can  walk  home,  not  knowing 
the  distance  I  lived ;  it  was  three  miles ;  he  says,  that's  nothing,  you  can  walk 
three  miles  to-day  and  five  to-morrow ;  on  my  way  I  took  refreshments,  and 
walked  three  miles  in  two  hours ;  after  this,  I  went  to  my  table,  carved  meat  for 
the  family  and  myself,  and  went  to  bed  perfectly  well  and  was  obliged  to  get  up 
in  the  night  and  eat,  and  since  that  I  have  enjoyed  perfect  health ;  gained  a 
pound  a  week  for  five  or  six  weeks,  and  am  eating  and  drinking  with  the  greatest 
pleasure  in  the  world.  A.  J.  WOODBURY. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


IN    PHILADELPHIA.  65 

CERTIFICATE   OF   MARY  A.   RUMER. 

I,  Mary  Ann  Rumer,  testify  and  say :  That  I  am  twenty-nine  years  of  age, 
and  live  in  Unionville,  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania ;  that  for  eleven  and  a 
half  years  I  had  been  troubled  with  a  spinal  affection  which,  with  a  complication 
of  other  diseases,  confined  me  to  my  bed  the  greater  portion  of  the  time,  and 
during  the  whole  time  was  a  great  sufferer  from  constant  pain;  for  the  last 
two  years  I  was  entirely  confined  to  the  bed,  and  subsisted  almost  entirely  on 
water  gruel ;  I  had  been  treated  by  several  physicians  without  any  permanent 
benefit ;  on  the  22d  of  October,  1862,  I  was  brought  to  Dr.  Newton  on  a  litter, 
in  so  feeble  a  condition  that  it  was  thought  by  my  friends  I  could  not  live  to 
reach  the  house ;  I  was  entirely  unconscious,  and  was  so  low  that  I  could  not  be 
carried  to  the  Doctor's  room,  so  he  treated  me  at  first  in  the  hall ;  I  was  then 
carried  to  his  room,  and  within  half  an  hour  I  was  able  to  walk  around  the  room 
and  down  stairs ;  the  next  day  I  was  treated  again  by  Dr.  Newton,  and  a  perfect 
cure  effected;  from  the  time  I  had  the  first  operation  my  appetite  has  been 
perfectly  good,  and  I  have  ever  since  been  able  to  eat  heartily,  and  am  now  in 
good  health ;  I  have  come  to  this  city  expressly  to  bear  testimony  to  the  won- 
derful cure  of  myself,  for  the  benefit  of  suffering  humanity. 

MARY  A.  RUMER. 


AFFIDAVIT   OF  JOHN  DONOHUE. 

I  live  in  McPlace,  No.  3,  Philadelphia ;  am  33  years  of  age ;  have  been  in 
the  army,  and  from  exposure  took  typhoid  fever,  which  terminated  in  dropsy ;  I 
was  in  the  hospital  at  Washington  seven  months,  and  under  medical  treatment 
by  naval  surgeons,  and  not  expected  to  live  ;  I  proposed  to  my  attending  surgeon 
to  recommend  my  discharge  from  the  Marine  service,  as  there  was  no  hope  of 
my  recovery;  my  request  was  granted  by  the  Colonel  commanding;  I  came 
home  to  Philadelphia,  to  my  family,  and  placed  myself  under  medical  treatment, 
and  was  twice  tapped  by  my  attending  physicians  within  five  weeks ;  thirty-three 
quarts  of  water  were  taken  from  me  in  about  three  weeks ;  I  was  full  again  and 
ready  for  another  operation,  to  which  my  physicians  said  I  must  submit  or  I 
could  not  live ;  I  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  thought  I  would  apply  to  him 
for  treatment ;  I  did  so ;  he  treated  me  for  about  five  minutes,  and  told  me  to 
call  and  see  him  again  in  two  days ;  he  treated  me  again  for  five  minutes,  and 
told  me  I  would  be  well  in  about  five  weeks ;  at  the  expiration  of  two  weeks  I 
found  myself  entirely  zuell,  and  have  enjoyed  as  good  health  since  as  I  ever 
enjoyed  in  my  life.  Physicians  and  al!  that  saw  me  said  that  they  never  wit- 
nessed a  worse  case  than  mine ;  my  legs  were  swelled  as  large  as  powder  kegs. 

JOHN  DONOHUE. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  5th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 
5 


66  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  MRS.  HANNAH   MILES. 

1 132  Pine  Street,  Philadelphia. 
This  certifies  that  I  was  very  sick  for  two  years,  and  had  many  doctors  with- 
out relief ;  my  disease  was  liver,  heart  and  dyspepsia.  I  suffered  great  pain 
all  the  time,  and  was  so  weak  that  I  could  scarcely  walk.  I  heard  that  Doctoi' 
J.  R.  Newton  cured  all  such  diseases.  I  applied  to  and  was  treated  by  him  with 
perfect  success,  without  medicine.     I  am  now  in  most  perfect  health. 

HANNAH  MILES. 
Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  9th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelphia. 


CERTIFICATE   OF  C.  M.  WALTON. 

Philadelphia,  January  30,  1863. 
I  hereby  certify  that  I  had  diabetes  over  seven  years  ;  at  times  I  had  great 
pain,  and  was  very  much  swollen  the  whole  time.  I  had  a  great  many  other 
doctors  without  benefit,  but  grew  worse,  until  I  went  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton. 
After  a  few  minutes'  treatment  by  him  I  was  cured,  and  in  less  than  two  hours 
the  swelling  was  entirely  gone.  Having  received  this  great  benefit,  I  give  this 
certificate  for  the  benefit  of  sufferers.  C.  M.  WALTON. 

Huntington  Valley,  Montgomery  Co.,  Pa. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  ANNA  WILSON. 

Anna  Wilson,  affirmed,  deposes  and  says : — I  live  at  443  York  avenue,  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia.  I  suffered  with  an  affection  of  the  spine  for  15  years;  had 
constant  suffering  and  pain,  day  and  night ;  have  applied  to  physicians  without 
receiving  any  benefit.  I  was  treated  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  after  an  opera- 
tion of  not  more  than  two  minutes  I  was  entirely  relieved,  and  have  remained  so 
ever  since.  This  was  last  November,  and  I  have  had  no  return  of  pain  or  suf- 
fered the  least  inconvenience  since.  ANNA  W^ILSON. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me,  this  13th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelphia. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  ELNATHAN  S.  TALLMAN. 

Burlington,  N.  J. 
This  certifies  that  my  wife  had  lost  her  voice  from  weak  lungs  and  bad  cough, 
and  could  not  speak  above  a  slight  whisper.     She  called  on  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton, 


IX    PHILADELPHIA.  6/ 

and  was  cured  by  one  treatment  of  a  few  minutes,  and  could  speak  as  clear  as 
ever,  and  has  been  perfectly  free  from  cough  ever  since. 

ELNATHAN  S.  TALLMAN. 
Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  13th  day  of  March,  1S63. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelphia. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  TYLER  W.  WHITE. 

I  live  in  Burlington,  N.  J.  ;  am  in  the  48th  year  of  my  age.  On  the  i6th  of 
July  last  I  fell  from  a  cherry  tree,  fractured  the  bone  of  my  leg  and  sprained  the 
ankle  joint ;  I  suffered  severe  and  constant  pain,  day  and  night,  for  eleven  weeks  ; 
I  had  medical  treatment  without  receiving  benefit.  I  then  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R. 
Newton.  Before  I  came  I  could  not  put  on  my  boot.  The  same  day  he  treated 
me  I  was  relieved  at  once,  and  have  had  no  pain  since.  I  put  on  my  boot  and 
have  worn  it  ever  since.  The  pain  and  swelling  was  at  once  removed,  and  I 
have  had  no  return  of  it  since.  TYLER  W.  WHITE. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  5th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelphia. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  ELIZA  BOGAN. 

I  reside  at  corner  of  Eighth  and  Carpenter  streets,  in  this  city  (Philadelphia). 
For  thirteen  years  I  had  erysipelas,  and  an  ulcer  on  my  leg  larger  than  my  hand. 
I  tried  all  kinds  of  doctors,  salves  and  medicines ;  but  it  continued  to  spread 
until  I  was  treated  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  about  four  weeks  since.  He  cured  it  at 
once,  so  that  nothing  now  remains  but  a  scar.  ELIZA  BOGAN. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  21st  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelohia 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  GEORGE  W.  ROBISON. 

George  W.  Robison  sworn  :  I  live  at  1625  South  Third  street,  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  I  suffered  with  the  inflammatory  rheumatism  for  two  years,  a 
part  of  the  time  confined  to  my  bed ;  suffered  severe  pain  and  lost  the  use  of 
my  left  knee  ;  had  several  good  physicians  attending  me  and  they  gave  me  no 
relief.  I  then  went  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  ;  this  was,  I  think,  in  May,  1862.  After 
an  operation  of  five  minutes  I  had  full  use  of  my  knee  without  pain  or  medicine, 
and  have  had  full  use  of  it  ever  since.  He  also  operated  upon  a  large  swelling, 
or  wen,  over  my  right  eve,  which  lias  since  disappeared.  A  number  of  (Joctors 
prescribed  for  the  bunch  over  my  eye,  but  without  doing  any  good. 

GEORGE  W.  ROBISON. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  25th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelphia. 


68  '  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  J.  L.  PAXON. 

NORRISTOWN,  Pa. 
Having  suffered  pain  in  my  right  hand  for  ten  years,  from  the  effect  of  a 
bruise,  I  was  induced  to  try  the  effect  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton's  treatment.     In  a 
few  minutes  I  was  cured,  and  have  had  no  pain  since.     This  occurred  last  Sep- 
tember.    I  have  had  the  free  use  of  my  hand  ever  since. 

JACOB  L.  PAXON. 
Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  19th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Aid. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  THOMAS  McMANUS. 

I,  Thomas  McManus,  of  Philadelphia,  have  been  troubled  with  chronic  G3ar- 
rhoea  from  childhood  ;  have  been  under  medical  treatment  many  years.  I  took 
the  most  powerful  astringents,  which,  instead  of  allaying  the  disease,  seemed  to 
excite  it.  I  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  through  some  friends  whom  he  had  ben- 
efited. They  advised  me  to  call  upon  him.  I  did  so.  He  said  he  thought  he 
could  cure  me,  and  I  received  his  treatment.  From  that  time  to  the  present  I  have 
been  a  changed  man  ;  my  diarrhoea  was  instantly  stopped.  My  general  health 
is  good,  and  I  feel  that  I  am  entirely  cured.  I  know  that  it  was  Dr.  N.'s  treat- 
ment that  cured  me,  for  I  took  no  medicine.  I  called  on  him  a  second  time  for 
another  disease  :  I  had  worn  a  truss  many  years  ;  I  was  also  cured  of  this  weak- 
ness and  have  no  trouble  or  pain,  or  further  use  for  a  truss. 

THOMAS  McMANUS. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  19th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman,  Philadelphia. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  P.  R.  HYDE. 

I  live  1237  Vine  street,  Phila.  For  more  than  ten  years  I  have  been  afHicted 
with  liver  complaint  and  gall  stones.  My  kidneys  were  diseased,  my  back  weak, 
and  great  stiffness  in  my  bones,  so  that  I  could  scarcely  walk.  I  tried  many  of 
the  most  eminent  [physicians].  They  all  gave  me  different  medicines,  which  did 
me  little  if  any  good.  A  friend  said  to  me,  "  Why  don't  you  try  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  ; 
he  cured  a  friend  of  mine."  I  called  on  Dr.  N.  without  faith  in  his  treatment, 
and  to  my  surprise,  with  two  treatments  of  ten  minutes  each,  without  pain,  I 
was  restored  to  health.  My  complexion  was  made  clear.  I  passed  gall  stones ; 
left  off  my  truss,  and  at  once  was  able  to  jump,  and  even  run. 

My  wife  was  also  since  cured  by  Dr.  N.  as  wonderfully  as  myself. 

P.  R.  HYDE. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  5th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


IN    PHILADELPHIA.  69 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  WM.  A.  YOUNG. 

I  am  17  years  of  age,  live  710  North  loth  street,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 
I  have  been  afflicted  for  five  months  with  hip  disease  or  dislocation  of  the  hip 
joint,  was  in  bed  for  four  months,  and  could  not  walk  during  that  time.  Was 
treated  by  the  most  eminent  physicians  in  this  city  without  any  benefit  as  to  my 
walking.  I  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  resolved  as  a  last  resort  to  go  to 
him.  I  went,  and  he  operated  upon  me,  and  in  a  short  time  I  was  entirely  re- 
stored so  as  to  walk  well,  and  now  enjoy  good  health.  WM.  A.  YOUNG. 

Afi&rmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  loth  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  GEO.  R.  JOHNSON. 

My  son,  aged  17  years,  was  afflicted  for  three  or  four  years  with  inflamma- 
tion in  the  eyes.  He  was  in  a  dark  room  for  seven  months.  He  was  not  able  to 
leave  the  house  in  bright  sunshiny  weather  for  a  great  portion  of  this  time.  He 
was  attended  and  prescribed  for  by  eminent  physicians  with  little  or  no  benefit. 
The  last  year  previous  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton's  operation  he  gradually  grew  worse 
and  I  was  fearful  he  would  lose  his  sight  altogether.  In  fact  he  was  so  bad  that 
he  could  not  see  across  the  street.  I  heard  through  a  friend  of  mine  of  Dr.  J. 
R.  Newton's  coming  to  this  city,  and  through  persuasion  was  induced  to  take  him 
to  the  Dr.  I  was  skeptical,  and  had  my  doubts  about  taking  him  at  all.  On  the 
last  Sunday  in  March,  1862,  I  took  him  to  the  Dr.  He  operated  upon  him.  I 
feared,  at  the  time,  he  would  injure  the  eyes,  but  in  a  few  days'  time  it  was  evi- 
dent his  eyes  were  getting  better,  and  in  ten  days  after  I  sent  him  out  collecting  for 
me.  It  was  a  bright  sunshiny  day  with  snow  on  the  ground,  about  the  9th  April, 
1862,  and  from  that  time  his  eyes  have  been  well,  and  I  consider  him  now  entirely 
cured.  He  demanded  no  fee.  I  would  have  been  willing  to  pay  one  hundred 
dollars  to  any  one  that  would  put  him  in  the  same  condition  he  now  is. 

GEORGE  R.  JOHNSON,  No.  3.  S.  7th  st,  Phila. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  12th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Aid. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  ANNIE  GEORGE. 

I  live  328  South  nth  street  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Am  23  years  of  age. 
I  was  troubled  with  inward  spasms,  epilepsy,  for  two  years,  had  them  every  few 
days.  I  have  had  doctors  attending  me.  They  appeared  to  do  me  no  good. 
Through  a  friend  that  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  was  attending  I  was  induced  to  apply 
to  him  (the  Dr.).  I  went  twice  or  three  times,  when  he  operated  upon  me  for  a 
few  minutes  each  time,  and  I  have  not  had  the  least  symptom  since.     I  am  en- 


70  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

tirely  restored  to  health.     My  friends,  who  have  seen  me  in  the  spasms,  think  it 
almost  a  miracle.  ANNIE  GEORGE. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  loth  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Aid. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  CHARLES  C.  VAN  HORN. 

C.  C.  Van  Horn,  being  sworn,  deposes  and  says  :  I  live  1013  Parish  street. 
My  son,  at  the  time  of  being  taken  sick,  was  nine  months  old.  His  disease  was  of 
a  scrofulous  nature,  called  by  some  scald  head.  He  had  violent  convulsions  every 
two  or  three  hours,  and  we  called  in  one  of  the  best  physicians  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  who  stands  second  to  none,  and  attended  the  child  for  two  months. 
He  cured  the  convulsions  but  could  not  cure  the  disease  of  the  head.  Some 
days  he  would  be  better,  and  again  he  would  be  worse  ;  he  was  very  nervous, 
restless  ;  could  not  sleep  ;  his  whole  system  out  of  order.  During  the  last  week 
or  ten  days  of  this  doctor's  treatment  we  had  to  keep  hot  irons  tp  his  hands  and 
feet  to  keep  them  warm,  they  being  apparently  lifeless.  While  in  this  condition 
we  took  him  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  who  prescribed  for  and  treated  him,  and  in  24 
hours  from  the  time  of  treatment  by  Dr.  Newton  we  noticed  a  favorable  change, 
and  in  three  days  the  natural  warmth  of  the  body  returned,  and  we  dispensed 
with  the  hot  irons,  and  in  three  weeks  the  child  was  entirely  well,  wholly  re- 
covered. CHARLES  C.  VAN  HORN. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  nth  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Aid. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  MARGARET  GAGE. 

Margaret  Gage,  being  affirmed,  does  depose  and  say  :  I  live  at  1452  Cherry 
street  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  I  have  been  troubled  with  the  asthma  for  forty 
years,  in  fact  ever  since  I  was  a  child;  suffered  so  much  that  for  four  or  five  days 
at  a  time  I  could  not  lie  down  ;  had  to  sit  and  sleep  in  my  chair ;  been  almost 
strangled  with  it ;  have  had  the  best  physicians,  but  never  received  any  benefit 
until  I  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  through  my  sister,  whose  husband  he  cured 
of  the  asthma,  and  herself  of  the  rheumatism.  Over  a  year  since  he  operated 
on  me,  and  since  that  time  I  have  been  free  from  asthma,  and  feel  that  I  am 
cured.  MARGARET  GAGE. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  nth  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Aid. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  SARAH   E.  TURQUAND. 

My  daughter,  twelve  years  of  age,  had  lost  the  use  of  her  limbs  from  scarlet 
fever ;  she  was  perfectly  paralyzed  in  body  and  mind  ;  she  was  so  that  when  I 
took  her  in  my  arms  her  head  and  feet  hung  perfectly  useless,  powerless  j  so  low 


IN    PHILADELPHIA.  /I 

was  she  when  I  brought  her  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  that  I  had  her  grave  clothes 
made.  It  was  observed  by  some  one  present,  Why  do  they  bring  dead  people  for 
Dr.  Newton  to  restore  ?  With  three  treatments  of  less  than  one  hour  altogether, 
she  was  perfectly  restored  to  health,  and  jumped  rope,  and  came  to  her  mind 
and  intelligence  as  well  as  ever ;  she  had  many  physicians  of  all  kinds  of  practice, 
and  paid  them  a  great  deal  of  money  but  they  could  not  restore  her  ;  they  did 
all  they  could ;  during  her  paralysis  she  could  not  keep  any  food  upon  the 
stomach;  she  is  now  in  perfect  health;  I  live  near  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  and 
came  here  to  give  my  testimony.  SARAH  E.  TURQUAND. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  4th  day  of  March,  1863. 

WM.  P.  HIBBERD,  Alderman. 


The  following  additional  testimonials  were  received  about  this 
time: 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  LUCY  R.  DANNAKER. 

This  is  to  certify  that  I,  Lucy  R.  Dannaker,  was  afflicted  for  eight  years  of 
spine  disease,  unable  to  walk  or  stand,  and  one  year  with  hip  disease,  confined 
to  bed  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  I  had  physicians  to  attend  me,  and  found 
no  benefit.  I  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton.  I  went  to  Philadelphia  and  was 
cured  by  him  in  ten  minutes,  so  that  I  could  run,  jump,  and  leap.  I  am  now 
perfectly  well.  I  can  do  any  work,  and  can  walk,  which  I  could  not  do  before. 
I  was  cured  by  Dr.  Newton  in  August,  1862.  LUCY  R.  DANNAKER. 

Bedford  County,  SS.  Personally  came  before  the  subscriber  (one  of  our 
Justices  of  the  Peace  in  and  for  the  said  county),  Lucy  R.  Dannaker,  who  being 
duly  sworn  saith,  that  the  above  facts  as  stated  are  just  and  true  in  her  case  ; 
further  saith  not.  Sworn  and  subscribed  the  8th  day  of  January,  A.D.  1863, 
before  me.  JOHN  SMITH,  J.  P. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  MRS.  ELIZABETH  J.  HALL. 

State  of  New  Jersey,  ) 

Essex  County.  )  ^^*  Newark,  N.  J. 

Elizabeth  J.  Hall,  being  duly  sworn,  saith  that  her  daughter,  Agnes  M.  Hall, 
aged  about  thirteen  years,  was  suffering  for  about  five  years  with  a  stiffness  of 
the  ja\v,  caused  by  the  over-use  of  calomel.  She  was  instantly  cured  about  a 
year  since  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  without  giving  her  any  medicine  whatever. 
She  is  now  well  and  has  the  use  of  her  jaw,  and  can  open  her  mouth  without 
any  difficulty.  E.  J.  HALL. 

Sworn  before  me,  January  7th,  1863.  GERRIT  SANFORD, 

Justice  of  the  Peace,  Newark,  N.  J. 


72  THE    MODERN   BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  MOSES  STRADLING. 

Bucks  County,  SS.  Before  me,  the  subscriber,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Peace  in  and  for  the  said  county,  personally  appeared  Moses  Stradling,  of  Buck- 
ingham township,  in  said  county,  who,  being  duly  affirmed  according  to  law,  did 
depose  and  say,  that  in  March,  1861,  he  had  an  attack  of  diphtheria,  and  from  that 
or  some  other  cause  he  was  afflicted  with  soreness  in  his  left  side  about  his  kid- 
neys so  that  he  could  not  lie  down  to  sleep,  and  was  compelled  to  sleep  in  a 
sitting  posture.  lie  mentioned  it  to  a  physician,  who  gave  him  something  to  bathe 
it  with.  He  applied  his  prescription,  but  received  no  relief.  He  also  had  an 
attack  of  palsy  in  his  left  side  and  arm,  rendering  the  arm  almost  useless,  about 
three  or  four  weeks  before  he  applied  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  which  was  on  the  5th 
of  December,  1862,  in  Philadelphia.  Under  his  treatment  he  was,  in  a  few 
minutes,  relieved  of  the  soreness  in  his  side,  and  has  not  felt  the  least  effect  from 
it  since  ;  has  lain  down  and  slept  as  usual  every  night  since  that  time.  The  palsy 
in  his  side  and  arm  has  been  very  much  relieved,  and  he  can  now  use  his  arms 
in  many  kinds  of  work.  MOSES  STRADLING. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  25th  day  of  December,  A.D.  1862. 

BENJ.  S.  RICH,  J.  P. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  SARAH  JANE  BRIANT. 

FosTERDALE,  Sullivan  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  30,  1862. 

Doctor  J.  R.  Newton — Dear  sir :  It  is  with  pleasure  I  state  the  particulars  of 
my  illness  and  recovery.  For  eleven  years  I  was  confined  to  my  couch,  unable 
to  walk  or  even  to  use  my  hands  in  performing  the  lightest  labor,  and  at  times 
unable  to  feed  myself.  The  least  exertion  caused  palpitation  of  the  heart  and 
other  sensations,  such  as  those  who  have  been  prostrated  by  nervous  debility 
alone  can  understand.  There  were  two  intervals  of  time  during  these  eleven 
years  in  which  I  was  able  to  walk  about  the  house — the  longest  was  about  six 
months.  But  for  nearly  three  years  before  I  visited  you  at  your  rooms  I  was 
unable  to  move  only  as  I  was  drawn  or  carried.  When  I  started,  I  was  carried  to 
the  wagon,  from  the  wagon  to  the  cars,  and  so  through  each  move  successively 
until  I  was  carried  into  your  room  in  an  almost  exhausted  condition.  After  sub- 
mitting to  your  treatment,  without  pain,  which  occupied  but  a  short  time,  I  was 
able  for  the  first  time  in  nearly  three  years  to  walk.  I  was  restored  to  health 
and  strength,  and  though  more  than  six  months  have  since  passed  I  still  enjoy  both 
and  attend  my  household  duties.  I  have  doctored  with  nine  different  physi- 
cians, and  paid  out  much  money,  but  received  no  benefit. 

SARAH  JANE  BRIANT. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  2d  day  of  January,  1863. 

N.  MOULTHROP,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

The  name  of  Sarah  J.  Briant  interlined  before  the  signing. 

N.  MOULTHROP. 


IN    PHILADELPHIA.  73 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  E.  H.  DAVIS. 

MooRESTOWN,  N,  J.,  Dec.  25th,  1862. 

I  have  been  afflicted  with  spine  disease  two  years  and  four  months,  thought  to 
be  caused  by  stepping  on  a  needle.  I  had  our  family  physician,  but  little  was  I 
benefited ;  often  I  was  entirely  laid  by  so  that  at  times  I  was  fed,  not  being  able 
to  sit  up  or  use  my  hands  on  account  of  the  sickness  that  proceeded  from  the  spine. 
I  was  able  to  read  but  a  very  little,  on  account  of  the  pain  in  the  balls  of  my  eyes, 
till  I  came  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  on  the  8th  of  October.  Now  I  can  read  without 
hurting  me.  I  have  been  twice  to  Dr.  Newton,  and  believe  myself  entirely  cured 
of  the  spine  disease  and  of  other  inward  weaknesses. 

I  paid  nothing,  but  money  would  not  tempt  me  to  part  with  the  benefit  I 
received  from  his  treatment.  ELIZABETH  H.  DAVIS. 

State  of  New  Jersey,  ) 
Burlington  County,      ) 

Personally  appeared  before  me,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  township  of 
Chester,  in  said  county,  Elizabeth  H.  Davis,  who,  being  duly  affirmed,  saith  that 
the  above  statement  is  true. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  this  25th  day  of  December,  1862,  before  me. 

JOSEPH  LIPPINCOTT,  Justice. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  E.  A.  S.  CORSON. 

The  undersigned  affirms  that  for  the  last  two  years  he  has  been  under  the 
medical  treatment  of  three  different  physicians  for  tetter  on  the  head,  dropsy, 
spine  disease,  and  internal  weakness,  without  receiving  any  benefit  therefrom. 
Since  January  ist,  1862,  I  suffered  gready,  could  not  use  any  exertion  without 
being  worse,  the  greater  part  of  the  time  confined  to  the  house  and  bed  ;  could 
not  ride  a  mile  or  walk  two  squares  without  suffering  intense  pain.  On  Septem- 
ber 1st,  1862, 1  with  great  difficulty  succeeded  in  seeing  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton.  I  went 
into  the  operating  room  scarcely  able  to  walk  and  suffering  much ;  and  after 
treatment  by  Dr.  Newton,  of  not  more  than  five  minutes,  all  pain  had  entirely 
left  me,  and  I  felt  perfectly  well.  That  day  I  walked  five  squares  and  rode 
seven  miles  in  a  carriage.  The  next  day  I  rode  twenty  miles  in  a  carriage,  and 
was  on  my  feet  for  three  or  four  hours  without  any  return  of  the  pain.  I  still 
feel  entirely  relieved  of  all  the  diseases  for  which  Dr.  Newton  treated  me. 

E.  A.  S.  CORSON. 

Chester  Co.,  SS.  Personally  came  the  above  named  E.  A.  S.  Corson,  who, 
after  being  duly  affirmed,  doth  depose  and  say,  that  the  above  statement  is  true, 
and  further  saith  not. 

Affirmed  and  subscribed  before  me  this  22d  day  cf  December,  A.D.  1862. 
ALLEN  W.  WILLS,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  DANIEL  CONDIT. 

Newark,  N.  J. 
I  do  hereby  certify  that  my  daughter  was  paralyzed  in  infancy  upon  one  side, 


74  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

/ 
and  has  been  under  the  care  of  at  least  five  different  physicians,  at  different 
times.  She  walked  a  portion  of  the  time  {but  very  imperfectly)  until  she  was 
nearly  twelve  years  of  age.  At  that  time  she  lost  the  use  of  her  limb  entirely, 
and  all  means  used  for  her  restoration  were  unavailing.  In  the  fall  of  i86i, 
having  been  unable  to  walk  for  about  three  months,  she  was  carried  to  Dr.  J.  R. 
Newton.  After  having  been  there  a  short  time  she  walked  from  his  office,  and 
found  no  pain  or  difficulty  in  walking.  She  continued  to  improve  from  that  time 
until  the  next  spring,  when  she  sprained  the  ankle  and  was  unable  to  walk  for 
some  weeks,  but  has  since  recovered  and  is  now  walking  better  than  at  any  time 
before.  DANIEL  CONDIT 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me  this  5th  day  of  January,  1863. 
W.  BRADSHAW,  Justice  of  the  Peace 

for  the  County  of  Essex,  State  of  New  Jersey. 


AFFIDAVIT  OF  JOHN  L.  HALL. 

Edgartown,  Mass.,  Dec.  25,  1862. 
This  is  to  certify  that  I,  John  L.  Hall,  of  Edgartown,  Mass.,  having  been 
afflicted  with  the  spinal  disease  for  over  one  year,  and  for  four  months  so  help- 
less as  not  being  able  to  walk  or  even  to  stand,  did,  on  the  21st  day  of  July,  1862, 
apply  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  he  so  helped  me  that  after  a 
few  moments — not  exceeding  ten  minutes'  operation — I  was  able  to  walk  up  and 
down  stairs,  and  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile  ;  and  have  continued  walk- 
ing ever  since  ;  and  he  did  the  whole  free  of  the  least  expense.  Other  physi- 
cians proved  of  no  avail  in  my  case.  JOHN  L.  HALL. 

Edgartown,  Dec.  25,  1862. 
John  L.  Hall  personally  appeared  and  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  state- 
ment above  signed  by  him.  JOHN  MAYHEW,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

I  hereby  certify  that  John  L.  Hall  is  personally  known  to  me.     I  saw  him 
while  on  his  way  to  Newport.     On  Monday  he  was  not  able  to  walk,  but  was 
carried  in  an  arm  chair.     On  Thursday  of  the  same  week  he  returned,  and  was  able 
to  walk  with  comparative  ease.     He  has  just  called  at  my  office  with  this  paper. 
December  25th,  1862.  JOHN  MAYHEW. 


The  following  note  was  received  from  the  Hon.  Nicholas  P. 
Trist  of  Philadelphia,  with  a  handsome  present  of  three  volumes 
of  the  Life  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  who  was  grandfather  of  Mrs. 

Trist : 

Philadelphia,  Feb.  20,  1863. 
To  Dr.  James  R.  Newton  : 

A  keepsake  from  two  of  his  patients,  Virginia  Jefferson  Trist  and  Nicholas 
Philip  Trist ;  who,  after  upwards  of  five  months'  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  the 
inestimable  benefits  conferred  upon  each  by  the  efficacy  of  the  marvellous  power 
with  which  he  is  gifted,  make  this  offering  as  an  expression  of  their  grateful  sense 
of  the  benefaction. 


IN    BALTIMORE,    MD.    ETC.  75 


CHAPTER  VI. 

IN    BALTIMORE,  MD. NEW  HAVEN  AND  HARTFORD,  CT. SPRING- 
FIELD, MASS. 

First  Healing  in  a  Public  Hall. — Streets  blockaded,  and  the  Mayor  appealed  to. — Great 
Numbers  Cured. — A  single  Case. — Brief  Visit  to  Boston. — Cure  of  a  Citizen  of  New 
Haven. — Is  invited  to  that  City. — Testimony  of  the  Press  as  to  the  Results. — Visits 
Hartford. — Testimony  of  the  Times. — List  of  Cures. — Visits  Springfield. — Statement 
of  a  Local  Editor. — List  of  Cures. 

"  During  the  same  year  (1863),"  says  the  narrative  before  us, 
**  Dr.  Newton  visited  Baltimore  and  was  most  cordially  received  by 
many  of  the  most  prominent  citizens.  He  remained  about  six  weeks, 
and  here  for  the  first  time  he  exercised  his  healing  powers  in  pub- 
lic, practicing  in  a  public  hall,  free  to  all,  every  morning.  The 
attendance  was  large,  and  the  streets  so  blockaded  that  business 
men  in  the  vicinity  applied  to  the  mayor  to  have  him  removed. 
The  mayor  said  :  *  No.  Dr.  Newton  is  doing  a  vast  amount  of 
goo.d  to  the  poor,  and  shall  not  be  disturbed.'  " 

In  the  afternoon  and  evening  of  every  day  the  Doctor  at- 
tended to  patients  at  his  rooms  at  Barnum's  Hotel.  A  history  of 
the  cures  performed  in  this  place  would  fill  a  large  volume.  Only 
one  marked  case  which  created  a  profound  sensation  will  be  men- 
tioned. 

AFFIDAVIT  OF  SETH  S.  SOMERSON. 

City  of  Baltimore. 
I  hereby  certify,  that  on  the  6th  day  of  April,  A.D.  1863,  before  me,  the  sub- 
scriber, a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  State  of  Maryland,  personally  appeared 
Seth  S.  Somerson,  and  made  oath  that  he  was  afflicted  with  spine  disease  twelve 
years,  and  was  so  drawn  or  bent  over  that  he  could  walk  only  with  two  very 
short  canes ;  he  had  given  up  all  hope  of  ever  being  any  better ;  he  was  advised 
to  call  on  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  at  Barnum's  Hotel,  and  was  treated  by  him  but  a 
few  minutes  and  perfectly  cured.  He  stands  six  foot,  erect  as  any  other  man ; 
his  health  and  vigor  of  body  in  all  respects  restored.     He  is  well  known  in  this 


76  •  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

community,  and  so  great  was  the  change  that  his  most  intimate  friends,  even  the 
members  of  his  own  family,  scarcely  knew  him. 

JOHN  B.  WHEAT, 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  Baltimore,  Md. 

After  leaving  Baltimore,  Dr.  Newton  went  to  Boston  for  a  brief 
visit.  While  there,  Henry  Hooker,  Esq.,  came  from  New  Haven 
for  treatment,  and  the  following  is  a  statement  of  his  cure  as  then 
published  in  the  New  Haven  Courier : — 

A  MARVELLOUS  CURE. 

Mr.  H.  Hooker,  well  known  as  an  extensive  carriage  dealer  in  this  city,  for 
six  years  past  has  been  troubled  with  a  difficulty  of  the  throat  which  seriously 
interfered  with  articulation — reducing  his  voice  to  a  mere  whisper.  During  all 
this  time  he  has  not  spoken  one  loud  word — a  truth  that  hundreds  of  his  ac- 
quaintances among  our  business  men  can  vouch  for — and,  of  course,  a  man  so 
situated  would  resort  to  every  means  that  seemed  to  promise  a  glimmer  of  hope 
of  removing  the  affliction.  Until  a  short  time  ago,  however,  he  did  not  succeed 
in  meeting  with  any  relief.  Being  in  Boston  a  little  while  since,  he  was  per- 
suaded, having  almost  ceased  to  look  for  recovery,  to  consult  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton, 
a  physician  of  that  city ;  and  Dr.  N.,  to  the  surprise  and  delight  of  Mr.  Hooker, 
after  going  through  with  a  very  brief  series  of  manipulations — fifteen  minutes 
was  all  the  time  consumed,  if  we  properly  understood  our  informant — assured 
his  patient  that  his  voice  was  as  strong  as  ever  !  Strange  as  it  may  appear,  the 
friends  of  Mr.  Hooker  in  this  city  have  had  oral  evidence  of  the  truthfulness  of 
the  cure  from  Mr.  Hooker's  own  lips  !  He  has  quite  regained  his  voice,  and 
very  naturally  uses  it  a  good  deal  in  praise  of  the  physician  who  effected  the 
restoration. 

Soon  after,  the  following  correspondence  took  place  : — 

New  Haven,  Conn.,  June  9th,  1863. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  Boston,  Mass. — Dear  Sir  :  The  undersigned,  having 
witnessed  the  remarkable   results  of  your  treatment  of  several  of  our  citizens, 
would  cordially  invite  you  to  visit  our  city,  and  further  extend  the  beneficial 
effects  of  your  powers. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 
Henry  Hooker,  Edwin  Marble, 

Isaac  Thompson,  Philo  Chatfield, 

E.  Benjamin,  Jas.  F.  Babcock, 

J.  N.  Collins,  Geo.  Brown, 

W.  A.  Ensign,  Smith  Merwin, 

N.  WiLLcox,  Arthur  D.  Osborne, 

R.  Chapman,  Gardner  Morse, 

Wm.  B.  Johnson,  James  Brewster. 


IN    NEW    HAVEN,  CONN.  77 

Boston,  June  nth,  1863. 
Gentlemen, — Your  invitation  to  practice  in  New  Haven  I  cordially  accept, 
with  many  thanks  for  the  courtesy  ;  and  trust  I  may  be  able  to  do  much  good  in 
your   city.     I  will  commence  on  the  17th  inst.,  and  invite  all  who  are  not  well 
able  to  pay,  to  come  "without  money  and  without  price." 
I  am  respectfully  your  ob't  servant, 

J.  R.  NEWTON,  M.  D. 
To  Messrs.  Kenry  Hooker,  and  others,  of  New  Haven,  Conn. 

The  results  of  this  visit  may  be  learned  from  the  excerpts  which 
follow  from  the  newspapers  of  the  day.  The  New  Haven  Courier^ 
July  II,  1863,  has  the  following  unique  editorial  testimony: — 

TEN  MINUTES  WONDERFULLY  SPENT. 

What  follows  is  forced  upon  us  to  write  by  a  great  public  interest,  and  must 
in  no  sense  be  understood  by  our  readers  as  written  for  hire,  as  is  too  often  the 
case  with  things  in  newspapers  where  money  may,  by  the  effect  of  them,  be 
directly  or  indirectly  caused  to  flow  in  given  directions.  We  had  heard  so 
much  of  a  certain  physician,  by  the  name  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  had  read 
so  much  of  his  doings  in  the  healing  art,  in  the  local  reports  of  the  New  York 
and  other  newspapers  in  various  cities,  that  we  thought  it  our  duty  to  pay  him  a 
visit  and  study  into  the  facts.  His  success  while  in  New  York  was  perfectly 
bewildering  to  the  most  skilful  surgeons  and  medical  men  of  their  famous 
schools,  and  double  carriages  every  day  thronged  the  streets,  for  blocks  each 
side  of  his  residence,  all  containing  some  sufferer  waiting  for  admission  to  his 
rooms.  All  the  diseases  that  were  ever  written  or  printed,  and  a  great  many 
that  never  could  be  told  by  mortal  tongue,  were  represented  in  all  sorts  of  forms, 
of  both  the  rich  and  proud  of  earth  as  well  as  of  the  humble  and  degraded,  and 
presently  their  owners  would  reappear,  smiling,  jubilant  and  grateful,  and  we 
fear  in  too  many  cases,  ready  again  for  the  vices  or  follies  which  must  have 
caused  a  portion  of  these  great  processions  of  distress.  People  then  talked  of 
Dr.  Newton  in  marvellous  language — some  of  it  so  improperly  extravagant  that 
we  shall  not  report  it  here :  for  there  is  but  One  from  whom  all  life  and  health 
can  proceed.  It  was  plain  to  the  whole  city  of  New  York,  that  the  infirm  and 
misshaped — often  so  from  birth — were  cured,  and  in  a  few  minutes  after  seeing 
Dr.  Newton  went  their  way  in  peace  and  happiness  and  pleasure.  This  man  is 
about  forty-five  years  of  age,  of  a  very  winning  habit  of  speech  and  action,  and 
speaks  modestly  himself  of  the  rationale  of  his  treatment  of  patients.  He  uses 
no  ligatures,  performs  no  surgery,  and  occupies  from  five  to  thirty  minutes.  No 
matter  how  dreadful  the  disorder  may  be,  or  of  how  long  standing,  the  patient 
comes  and  goes — at  any  rate  it  is  so  stated  to  us  by  many  citizens  of  whose  credi- 
bility we  never  had  a  doubt — cured  entirely,  and  oftentimes  instantly.  He  does 
not  say  that  he  can  cure  in  all  cases. 

We  spent  ten  minutes  in  his  reception  rooms  yesterday,  and  they  were  well 
filled  with  men  and  women,  who  had  come  as  went  the  Spanish  adventurers  on 


^8  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

their  long  journeys  after  the  waters  of  the  fountain  of  perpetual  youth.  Some 
persons  go  to  see  him  twice,  as,  for  instance,  for  deafness,  epilepsy  and  consump- 
tion, and  instantaneous  cures,  where  bones  are  broken,  spines  badly  out  of  shape, 
and  tumors  matterated,  can  scarcely  be  expected.  But  such  are  often  relieved 
at  one  operation.  Those  diseases  that  are  most  certain  of  being  cured  by  one 
operation  are  weak  spines  and  all  kinds  of  female  diseases,  internal  ulcers,  loss 
of  voice,  diseased  liver,  kidneys  and  heart,  weakness  of  limbs,  dyspepsia, 
rheumatism,  bronchitis,  diabetes  and  nervous  debility.  Paralysis  seems  the 
most  slow  and  uncertain.  Sometimes  it  has  been  cured  at  one  operation, 
though  not  often ;  still  improvement  has  been  made  at  the  first  trial. 

During  Dr.  Newton's  late  visit  in  Boston  he  registered  over  two  thousand 
patients,  many  of  whom  were  cured,  after  they  had  been  given  over  by  other 
practitioners.  What  is  strange,  is,  that  the  very  worst  cases  seem  at  times  to  be 
the  most  entirely  healed. 

He  speaks  of  possessing  a  vital  faculty — his  appearance  and  energy  of  move- 
ment would  indicate  something  unusual  of  the  kind — and  this  vital  force  he  infuses 
into  those  who,  by  reason  of  its  deficiency,  do  not  contain  in  themselves  the 
power  for  their  own  restoration.  Any  one  can  go  to  his  house  in  York  street, 
and  see  the  halt,  and  lame,  and  blind  go  in  with  crutches  and  spectacles,  and 
supported  by  friends  on  either  side  of  them  for  sustainment,  and  can  in  a  few 
minutes  see  them  come  out  without  their  crutches  and  canes,  and  walk  gayly 
away.  What  a  strange  story  this  is.  We  cannot  tell  why  Comfort  S.  Farren,  of 
Main  street,  in  our  neighboring  village  of  Fair  Haven,  was  cured  by  this  Doctor, 
of  a  tumor,  and  cured  instantly — the  tumor  being  seven  and  a  half  inches  long, 
and  four  wide — and  performed  in  the  presence  of  Rev.  D.  Carroll. 

Albert  Hyde,  of  Orange,  Conn.,  cured  of  a  large  ulcer  on  the  leg. 

Miss  Martha  Hotchkiss,  of  Westville,  who  was  sick  twenty-one  years,  and 
for  the  last  two  years  bed-ridden,  was  caused  to  rise  and  dress  herself  and  walk 
off  well.     She  is  now  in  good  health. 

J.  F.  Lewis,  West  Meriden,  was  lame  in  spine  and  hip,  and  was  enabled  to 
walk  off  well,  and  left  his  crutch  in  the  Doctor's  office. 

Sarah  A.  Recor,  of  Plainville,  Conn.,  was  speechless  for  nine  months,  and 
cured. 

Miss  Kate  White,  lame  three  years,  cured  instantly. 

Mrs.  Robert  M.  Bassett,  of  Derby,  Conn.,  could  not  speak  for  four  years; 
was  cured. 

Jessie  Mallory,  also,  was  cured,  and  this  patient  had  a  hip  disease  and  was 
only  ten  years  old. 

Harriet  Parker,  of  io6  Canal  street,  was  cured  of  rheumatism  she  had  had 
since  childhood,  and  her  husband  of  lameness.  But  we  don't  want  to  put  all  the 
names  in  here — the  proper  place  for  them  will  be  in  the  advertising  column,  if 
indeed  they  ought  to  be  advertised  at  all.  So  much  has  been  ascribed  to  this 
famous  man,  of  power  beyond  our  ordinary  knowledge,  that  we  ought  to  say  a 
word,  perhaps,  to  free  his  character  from  the  blame  which  would  attach  to  him 
did  he  claim  that  his  cures  were  in  any  sense  lilce  the  New  Testament  cures,  or 
even  did  he  assert  them  to  be  emanating  from  his  knowledge  of  the  Black  Art, 


IN    NEW    HAVEN,    CONN.  79 

He  maj',  for  aught  we  can  tell,  be  possessor  of  a  wonderful  FAITH  that  is  of  great 
potency,  and  which  in  ancient  days  could  remove  mountains.  He  must  under- 
stand rarely,  in  order  to  discern  the  true  characters  of  his  sickly  visitors.  Perhaps 
some  elemental  principle  of  force,  nourished  in  his  own  frame  occultly,  may  so 
dijEfuse  itself  among  the  delicate  sensibilities  of  all  who  come  within  his  atmos- 
phere that  they  become  quickened  in  new  and  healthful  ways.  Possibly  he  is 
purer  than  other  men,  and  thus  gifts  have  been  given  to  him ;  or  may  not  his 
mere  physical  nature  be  strong  to  yield  the  vital  material,  by  virtue  of  its  having 
been  handed  down  to  him  through  ancestral  vigor.  His  success  may  be  owing 
to  the  great  influence  which  healthy  habits  of  thought  will  ever  exercise  over  the 
thoughts  which  live  in  morbid  bodies.  One  thing :  he  uses  no  drugs  nor  con- 
jurations, gathered  from  grave  yards  or  hidden  in  uncouth  places,  where  gloomy 
shadows  in  dismal,  swampy  vicinities  furnish  forth  monstrous  flowers  of  unnat- 
ural beauty  and  forbidden  fruit,  that  have  been  sought  after  for  their  difficulty 
of  access,  and  may  have  grown  above  deca.ying  hearts.  May  not  wonderful  sub- 
stance, more  precious  than  we  in  our  infirmities  can  understand,  be  blended 
mysteriously  with  all  our  lives,  and  might  it  not  be  almost  within  our  own  power 
to  be  well  and  happy,  were  we  true  and  righteous  ourselves  so  far  as  it  is  pos- 
sible to  be  ? 

The  Hartford  Times  published  the  following  letters  from  a  New 
Haven  correspondent : — 

THE  PERFORMANCES  OF  DR.  NEWTON. 

New  Haven,  July  25, 1863. 
You  have  doubtless  seen  in  one  of  the  New  Haven  papers  the  incredible 
account  of  the  seemingly  miraculous  cures  wrought  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  who  is 
stopping  for  a  while  at  No.  152  York  street  in  this  city.  These  statements, 
although  their  entire  accuracy  was  vouched  for  by  the  editor,  appeared  too  mar- 
vellous to  be  true  ;  and  I  at  once  set  down  Dr.  Newton  as  one  of  the  sensation 
impostors  of  the  day — in  common  parlance  a  hitmbiig.  Having  by  chance  been 
placed  in  a  position  to  see  and  test  his  cures  for  myself,  I  have  found  occasion 
to  reverse  this  verdict,  and  to  declare  that  he  really  does  perform  many  extraor- 
dinary cures.  Having  seen  those  whom  he  had  relieved  almost  instantaneously, 
of  diseases  which  had  baffled  the  skill  of  our  physicians  for  many  years,  I  was 
induced  to  visit  his  rooms  to-day.  Hither  come,  daily,  a  crowd  of  sufferers 
under  every  (seemingly)  form  of  disease,  not  alone  from  this  city,  but  from  the 
surrounding  towns — some  from  places  forty  miles  distant.  The  Doctor  claims 
some  powerful  "gift  of  healing,"  and  verily  there  are  those  who  can  testify  from 
personal  experience  that  his  claim  is  not  altogether  unfounded.  He  makes  the 
lame  to  walk,  the  blind  to  see.  He,  evidently,  is  actuated  by  a  deep-seated 
religious  conviction  that  he  can,  and  must,  relieve  the  ills  of  his  fellow-creatures ; 
and  if  they  are  too  poor  to  pay,  he  treats  them  cheerfully  without  money  and 
without  price.  So  far  as  I  can  learn,  he  has  a  dozen  patients  of  this  class  to 
every  one  \vho  pays.     This  speaks  well  for  his  honesty  and  sincerity.     You  may 


80  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

remember,  in  the  published  account  of  cures  wrought  here,  the  case  of  old 
"  Father  Goodwin,"  of  "  Legislative  Statistics "  fame.  The  old  gentleman  is 
well  known  in  your  city  as  well  as  here,  and  can  speak  for  himself.  But  his 
case,  striking  as  it  is,  falls  far  short  of  many  others  that  might  be  named,  and  I 
mention  it  only  because  he  chances  to  be  known  in  Hartford.  In  the  following 
brief  additional  list  of  cases  just  treated,  the  persons  named  can  be  referred  to 
by  any  one  who  is  incredulous.  [These  cases  are  omitted  here  as  they  are  given 
elsewhere. — Ed.] 

As  I  was  leaving,  there  came  in  a  man  from  Colt's  Armory,  limping  painfully 
with  a  stiffening  rheumatism.  The  Doctor  requested  me  to  wait,  "just  two 
minutes,"  and  see  him  brought  out  of  it.  I  did  so,  and  sure  enough,  the  man  in 
a  few  minutes  could,  and  did,  not  only  walk  erect  and  well,  but  jump  all  around 
the  room.  In  reply  to  a  question  from  me,  he  said  he  had  not  been  able  to  do 
so  before  for  a  long  time.  His  name  I  have  lost ;  but  he  belongs  in  Hartford, 
and  perhaps  he  will  himself  report  whatever  opinion  he  may  have. 

I  might  also  refer  to  Mr.  Nelson  Hotchkiss,  of  this  city,  and  indeed  to  a 
dozen  others,  but  this  account  is  already  too  long. 

These  cures  are  performed  without  causing  ^ain,  and  without  giving  medi- 
cine, or  any  resort  to  surgical  operations.  What  the  Doctor's  power  is,  I  do  not 
pretend  to  say.     But  that  he  is  not  a  "  humbug  "  I  am  now  full  convinced. 


DR.  NEWTON'S  MODERN  "MIRACLES." 

New  Haven,  Aug.  4. 

The  extraordinary  performances  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  alluded  to  in  my  last 
letter,  are  causing  a  good  deal  of  talk,  and  not  a  little  speculation,  in  this  city 
and  such  of  the  surrounding  towns  as  have  been  represented  among  his  patients. 
And  well  they  may.  There  is  something  in  these  proceedings  that  has  never 
been  witnessed  here  before.  His  house  is  thronged  with  men,  women  and 
children,  suffering  under  almost  every  ailment  that  can  afflict  poor  humanity,  and 
astonishing  scenes  are  every  hour  transpiring.  He  works  by  some  hidden  virtue 
or  gift  of  healing,  and  never  gives  any  medicine.  What  I  have  seen  done,  in 
cures  wrought  by  his  mere  touch,  I  would  never  have  believed  on  any  evidence 
less  direct  than  that  of  my  own  senses. 

To-day  I  went  again  to  his  rooms  on  York  street,  and  there  found  five  rooms 
full  of  people  waiting  their  turn.  It  was  a  singular  scene.  Old  and  young,  cf 
both  sexes,  the  paralytic,  the  rheumatic,  the  lame,  the  halt,  the  blind — the  suf- 
ferers from  curved  and  weak  spines  (there  were  a  number  of  these,  chiefly 
females),  pale  victims  of  chronic  internal  maladies,  whose  pain-worn  features 
told  of  weary  years  of  hopeless  suffering,  rugged  men  with  hands  or  limbs  dis- 
torted by  rheumatism  or  accidental  injuries,  sufferers  from  disordered  lungs, 
stomach,  liver,  eyes,  every  thing — seemingly — sat  waiting  their  turn  to  be  healed, 


IN    NEW    HAVEN,    CONN.  51 

like  the  lepers  of  old  at  the  pool  of  Bethesda.  The  Doctor  treats  his  patients 
in  a  separate  room,  accompanied  by  their  friends  when  they  wish  it.  Two 
minutes  suffices  in  most  cases,  when  they  come  forth,  either  cured,  benefited,  or 
pronounced  beyond  reach.  The  latter  class  seems  to  comprise  the  smallest 
number ;  and  yet  the  Doctor's  patients  are  chiefly  cases  given  over  by  their 
physicians.  Very  affecting  scenes  occur  between  family  relatives,  on  the  sudden 
restoration  to  health  of  loved  ones  who  had  lingered  for  years  as  hopeless  cripples 
or  sufferers  from  maladies  deemed  incurable. 

I  procured  from  the  Doctor  a  list  of  30  or  40  of  his  more  remarkable  recent 
cures;  but  they  fill  too  much  space  for  the  limits  of  this  letter.  Indeed,  it  is 
questionable  if  some  of  them  would  be  credited,  if  published.  A  pile  o£  cast-off 
crutches  in  the  Doctor's  room,  flanked  by  a  collection  of  goggles  and  trusses, 
attests  his  success.     These  trophies  receive  daily  additions. 

To-day  a  lady  from  Newington  (Wethersfield),  Miss  Hannah  Whittlesey, 
was  brought  in  and  laid  upon  the  sofa,  a  pale  and  helpless  sufferer,  of  whose 
case  I  failed  to  obtain  any  other  information  from  those  who  brought  her  in  (one 
was  a  physician)  than  this,  that  she  had  been  confined  to  her  bed  most  of  the 
time  for  17  years,  but  that  during  this  period  she  had  sometimes  got  out  and 
walked  with  difficulty  across  the  floor.  All  that  I  can  say,  therefore,  of  this  case 
is,  that  when  brought  in  she  was  unable  to  stir  from  her  position  on  the  sofa, 
and  that  in  ten  minutes'  time  she  came  iorth.  wa/h'n^;  and  walked,  feebly,  through 
the  house  and  down  into  the  garden  and  back. 

Mrs.  H.  Treat,  of  East  Hartford,  five  minutes'  treatment,  enabled  to  leave 
her  crutches  on  sofa,  first  time  for  two  years,  and  walk  the  room  without  them. 
Elderly  lady ;  rheumatism. 

Mrs. ,  Milford,  cured  of  spinal  complaint ;  had  to  be  lifted  and  carried ; 

first  time  for  years,  walked,  or  rather  ran,  up  stairs  and  down.  I  saw  her 
do  it. 

Mr.  Rand's  daughter,  corner  Park  and  Chapel  streets  (previously  mentioned), 
is  now  apparently  well.  Her  mother  says  she  walks  all  about  town.  The  day 
Dr.  Newton  was  called  to  her  bedside,  she  had  been  given  up  to  die,  and  her 
father,  when  he  left  the  house,  was  doubtful  if  she  would  live  the  day  out.  Her 
spine  was  so  curved  and  diseased  that  she  had  been  unable  to  walk  for  a  year. 
When  Dr.  Newton  was  called  all  hope  had  been  abandoned,  and  he  was  called 
as  a  last  resort,  in  the  father's  absence.  He  came  to  the  bed,  stretched  forth 
his  hands  upon  her,  and  the  girl  arose  from  the  bed,  and  stood  erect  on  the  floor  ! 
She  dressed  herself,  walked  about  the  house,  and  then  walked  alone  to  her 
father's  place  of  business,  some  streets  away.  When  he  saw  her  his  strength 
forsook  him,  and  he  was  only  saved  from  falling  by  clinging  to  a  post  for  sup- 
port. These  facts  were  told  me,  with  eyes  tearful  with  emotion,  by  the  girl's 
mother. 

Mrs.  Nelson  B.  Taylor,  of  Bridgeport,  cured  of  curvature  of  spine,  and 
years  of  suffering,  all  in  five  minutes.  Came  forth  exclaiming,  "  Bless  the  Lord, 
I  feel  I  am  well !  "  and  her  husband  followed,  weeping  like  a  child,  for  joy. 

Catherine,  daughter  of  Christopher  Davis,  of  Guilford,  apparently 
about  28  years  of  age,  bedridden  for  seven  years  ;  loss  of  voice  for  five  years ; 

6 


S2  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

conversed  by  signs.  Could  not  bear  the  sound  of  the  flail  in  the  barn,  and  grain 
had  to  be  thrashed  at  a  neighbor's.  Was  brought  in  on  a  bed,  all  the  way  from 
Guilford.  In  a  few  minutes  she  could  walk  and  fa//:.  From  a  skeleton,  she  is 
fast  becoming  like  other  people.  I  conversed  with  her.  She  talks  as  well  as 
any  one.     Says  she  can  scarcely  realize  it — it  is  like  a  dream. 

Mrs.  H.  K.  Jones,  Kensington,  very  lame — chronic — leakage  of  joint- 
walked  with  great  difficulty.  In  three  minutes  could  run  up  stairs  without  touch- 
ing the  banisters. 

Alice  Weston,  girl  of  13,  from  New  York— excrescence  growing  upon 
nose — family  came  with  her.  Dr.  Newton  touched  it,  and  said  it  would,  within 
two  days,  fall  o£E.  It  ^/^— and  to-day  they  brought  the  girl  to  show  her.  Scarcely 
a  scar  could  be  seen. 

I  might  extend  the  list — but  enough. 

The  following  is  from  the  New  Haven  Times  .•— 

Dr.  Newton,  who  closes  his  residence  here  on  the  7th  prox.,  continues  to 
treat  crowds  of  patients.  Our  reporter  visited  his  rooms,  as  a  curiosity,  not  long 
ago,  and  there  found  a  crowd  of  nearly  50  persons  awaiting  treatment — a  number 
from  adjoining  towns.  Some  were  there,  too,  who  had  just  been  operated  on — 
one  gentleman  who  had  long  been  lame,  but  who  had  now  left  his  crutches  in  the 
Doctor's  room,  and  walked  apparently  as  well  as  any  one.  *  *  *  *  Most  of 
them  seem  to  be  cases  that  have  passed  beyond  the  reach  of  our  methods  of 
treatment,  and  many  fail  to  be  restored  by  the  Doctor's  magnetic  powers,  while 
others  seem  to  be  restored.  Most  of  his  cases  he  treats  gratis.  From  the  testi- 
mony of  a  number  of  persons  our  reporter  gathered  the  following  recent  "  speci- 
men cases  "  : — 

Mr.  Merwin  W.  Davis,  New  Boston,  Ct.,  came  in  on  Thursday,  swinging 
along  on  crutches — lower  part  of  body  and  both  legs  paralyzed.  Had  been  so 
for  three  years.  A  single  operation  restored  him.  He  walked,  danced,  and 
jumped — and  then  sat  down  and  cried  like  a  child  in  his  too  great  joy.  He 
walked  awa}',  leaving  his  crutches  behind. 

Elihu  B.  Day,  Gilead — poisoned  last  January  by  bad  vaccination — confined 
to  his  bed  since  last  April.  The  Doctor  was  taken  to  Gilead  to  treat  him,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  restored  him,  so  that  he  walked  out,  and  went  half  a  mile  to  see 
his  neighbor.     His  case  holds,  and  he  is  now  (we  hear)  about  his  work. 

Mrs.  A.  A.  Price,  Hartford,  cured  of  a  heart  disease  of  15  years  and  loss  of 
use  of  lower  limbs.     She  continues  well,  and  is  enthusiastic  in  her  testimony. 

Mrs:  Benjamin  Haskell,  Wooster  street,  cured  of  chronic  lameness. 

Mrs.  Mary  Jones,  Hartford,  very  lame  for  three  years — stiff  knee — cured  in 
a  few  minutes. 

Charles  Williams,  postmaster  at  Deerfield,  Mass.,  cured  of  a  lameness  of 
eight  years — shouldered  his  crutch  and  walked  off. 

Amariah  Briggs,  Deerfield,  cured  of  organic  disease  of  heart  of  twenty 
years'  standing,  and  chronic  dyspepsia. 


IN    NEW    HAVEN,    CONN.  83 

Mrs.  Charles  Slayton,  Granby,  brought  in  on  a  bed,  to  which  she  had 
been  confined  for  nine  years.     Restored  so  as  to  walk  about. 
We  might  name  scores  of  others. 

A  LETTER  TO  DR.  NEWTON. 

"Bristol,  Conn.,  Nov.  21,  1863. 
*•  My  Dear  Sir,— 

"  May  God  bless  you !  It  is  now  three  weeks  since  I  was  healed.  It  is 
eighteen  years  since  I  became  a  confirmed  invalid  and  six  years  since  I  could 
walk  till  I  saw  you.  My  friends  are  astonished  to  see  me  so  well.  Sister  Eddy, 
who  was  bed-fast,  also  continues  well.  Some  say  this  is  the  work  of  the  devil. 
If  so,  they  had  better  change  their  doxology. 

"  I  have  received  a  great  blessing.  I  almost  feel  like  one  risen  from  the 
dead. 

"  Your  grateful  friend, 

"MRS.  F.  L.  WRIGHT."* 

The  following  account  of  a  remarkable  cure  was  voluntarily 
given  to  the  Evening  Prcss^  of  Hartford,  for  publication  by  a  resi- 
dent clergyman  : — 

REMARKABLE  CURE. 

Mr.  Editor, — For  the  benefit  of  the  afflicted,  and  in  justice  to  Dr.  J.  R. 
Newton,  late  of  New  Haven,  and  who  is  expected  to  visit  this  city  soon,  I  wish 
to  make  the  following  statement ;  My  daughter,  Minnie  S.  Davis,  residing  at  49 
College  street,  has  long  been  a  sufferer  from  spinal  affection,  which  nearly  de- 
prived her  of  her  sight  and  of  the  use  of  her  limbs.  For  months  she  had  not 
been  able  to  read  a  word,  and  for  five  weeks  she  could  not  walk  a  step,  or  bear 
her  weight.  July  27th  she  was  carried  in  our  arms  into  Dr.  Newton's  office.  He 
laid  his  hands  upon  her,  and  made  a  few  passes,  when  she  was  able  to  walk  out 
of  his  office  and  step  into  a  carriage  by  the  help  of  my  arm.  From  that  hour  she 
has  been  improving,  and  now  walks  about  the  house,  and  even  into  the  street, 

*  In  reply  to  a  note  of  inquiry  addressed  by  the  editor  to  Mrs.  Wright,  she  says,  under  date 
of  Bristol,  Conn.,  Jan.  7,  1876 : 

"*  *  *  *  The  healing  was  great.  I  had  worn  a  supporter  for  18  years,  was  confined  to  my 
bed  two  years,  and  entirely  helpless  for  15  months  ;  had  chronic  diarrhoea  for  13  months  ;  entirely 
lost  the  use  of  my  limbs  for  two  years,  through  female  weakness  ;  had  also  a  pain  in  my  side  for 
15  years.     None  of  these  have  ever  returned  in  the  slightest  degree — none  ofihent. 

"Mrs.  G.  W.  Eddy,  of  Bristol,  a  sister  of  mine,  was  healed  six  months  before  myself.  She 
had  worn  a  supporter  for  18  years ;  lost  the  use  of  her  limbs  every  summer  and  fall  for  8  years, 
through  chronic  diarrhoea.  Was  healed  in  ten  minutes — disease  never  returned — is  a  healthy 
woman — does  the  work  for  three  in  the  family,  and  averages  to  walk  from  three  to  five  miles  a 
day. 

"  I  was  healed  in  Oct.,  1863,  in  twenty  or  thirty  minutes,  ate  a  good  meal,  and  took  a  walk. 
Thank  God  and  Dr.  Newton  I 

"MRS.  F.  L.  WRIGHT." 


84  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

and  can  read  several  pages  without  paining  her  eyes.  She  has  visited  the  Doctor 
once  since,  and  so  great  is  the  improvement  that  we  hope  for  entire  restoration  to 
health.  No  words  can  express  our  gratitude  for  this  blessing.  I  make  this  state- 
ment for  the  benefit  of  the  suffering  who  need  his  aid,  hoping  they  will  go  to  him 
in  confidence  and  be  healed.  If  any  friends  or  strangers  wish  further  information 
of  this  case,  let  them  call  en  the  undersigned  at  49  College  street,  Hartford. 

S.  A.  DAVIS. 

The  editor  adds : — 

"  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  referred  to  in  the  above  statement  of  Rev.  S.  A.  Davis 
of  this  city,  will,  we  understand,  visit  Hartford  about  the  8th  of  September.  His 
cures  are  very  wonderful." 

Dr.  Newton  next  went  to  Hartford,  Conn.  What  took  place 
in  that  city  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  editorial  in  the 
Hartford  Times: — 

THE  NEW  BETHESDA. 

Number  18  Pleasant  street  is  the  attraction  now  to  the  ailing  populace ;  to 
that  point  the  sick  and  limping  tend.  The  spacious  house,  the  great  yard,  even 
all  the  thoroughfares  and  approaches  thereto  are  crowded  with  the  sufferers 
who  seek  relief  in  the  troubled  waters  of  this  new  Bethesda.  There  is  no  angel 
there  to  stir  the  healing  fluid,  but  Dr.  Newton,  unaided  and  alone,  by  a  wonder- 
ful gift,  for  we  cannot  think  it  science,  bids  the  blind  to  see,  the  lame  to  walk, 
the  sick  to  be  healed,  and  they  do  see,  they  do  walk,  they  are  healed.  Centuries 
back,  we  are  told  that  wondrous  miracles  were  performed  by  good  men  ;  but  few 
ever  expected  to  find  the  maker  of  miracles  with  us  in  the  19th  century,  and  in 
our  own  city.  Yet  here  comes  a  man  among  us  who  by  word,  and  the  simple 
laying  on  of  hands,  banishes  disease  and  gives  the  patient  health. 

Hearing  of  these  things,  we  availed  ourselves  of  a  kind  invitation  to  visit  the 
Doctor  and  witness  some  of  his  remarkable  operations.  The  scene  that  pre- 
sented itself  was  painful  to  look  upon.  The  large  rooms  were  filled  with  in- 
valids. Here  was  seated  the  lame,  the  blind,  the  consumptive,  the  rheumatic, 
the  dyspeptic  ;  all  the  ills  man  is  heir  to  seemed  to  hover  over  this  sad  assembly. 
In  one  parlor  a  group  was  weeping  over  a  pale  sickly  woman,  whose  appearance 
marked  her  for  an  early  grave. 

The  Doctor's  method  is  to  give  the  patients  as  they  arrive,  a  ticket  with  a 
number  upon  it.  When  the  number  is  called  the  holder  of  it  is  admitted  to  the 
Doctor's  presence.  His  scale  of  prices  for  curing  the  sick  are  arranged  accord- 
ing to  the  wealth  of  the  individual.  If  any  are  too  poor  to  pay,  their  cases  are 
treated  without  a  fee.  Over  the  door  of  one  of  the  parlors  is  a  card  on  which  is 
written,  "  Persons  who  cannot  afford  to  pay  are  cordially  invited  to  come  with- 
out money  and  without  price." 

;Since  last  Wednesday,  nearly  eight  hundred  patients  have  visited  his  office. 


IN    HARTFORD,    CONN.  8$ 

Dr.  Newton  does  not  claim  to  cure  all  cases,  but  there  are  certain  diseases  over 
which  he  has  perfect  command,  and  always  cures  the  individual  suffering  from 
them.  The  most  remarkable  cures  he  has  made  during  his  practice  in  this  city 
are:  A  Miss  Mary  Ann  Dunham,  of  South  Windsor,  who  was  lame  for  lo  years, 
on  the  9th  of  this  month  visited  the  Doctor,  and  after  spending  a  few  minutes  in 
his  office  walked  out  of  the  room  without  her  crutches,  i-pparently  perfectly 
cured.  The  other  case  is  a  lad  in  this  city,  who  has  carried  newspapers  for 
years,  named  John  Lehan  ;  he  has  been  upon  crutches  for  13  years ;  on  Saturday 
he  visited  the  Doctor  and  was  instantly  relieved  of  his  lameness,  and  can  now 
walk  well  without  his  crutches. 

Doctor  Newton  is  a  very  pleasant  gentleman,  and  treats  his  patients  w<ith  a 
kindness  most  gratifying  to  witness.  In  some  cases,  especially  rheumatism,  he  . 
makes  the  patient  dance  and  run  about  as  if  he  were  up  for  a  draft  examination. 
He  touches  him  with  his  hand,  saying,  "  All  right."  "  All  well."  "  Now  you 
are  a  new  man ! "  "  Run !  I  say ; "  and  off  hops  the  patient,  his  face  covered 
with  astonishment  as  he  sees  himself  actually  running. 

We  do  not  believe  in  modern  miracles,  but  we  certainly  think  Dr.  Newton  is 
doing  great  good  in  his  line,  and  we  would  advise  the  sick  to  see  him.  He  gives 
no  medicine,  but  claims  to  perform  these  wonderful  cures  through  a  mesmeric 
influence  which  passes  from  the  system  to  that  of  the  patient  he  is  treating.  The 
curious  will  find  something  to  astonish  them  here  ;  and  if  free  from  disease  will 
find  not  only  something  to  excite  them,  but  arouse  their  gratitude  that  they  pos- 
sess the  golden  treasure — Health. 

The  persons  mentioned  in  the  following  list  were  among  the 
many  who  received  treatment  from  Dr.  N.  at  Hartford,  and  after- 
wards called  and  reported  themselves  cured  : — 

Mrs.  Russell  Landfair,  Fair  Haven,  Conn.,  very  sick  five  years ;  bed 
ridden  the  last  three  years  ;  cured  in  ten  minutes  to  walk  out  of  doors. 

Mrs.  Charlotte  Savoy's  son  Lewis,  84  George  street,  New  Haven,  epilep- 
tic fits  five  years ;  perfectly  cured.  When  brought  was  so  debilitated  as  scarcely 
able  to  walk ;  is  now  robust  and  a  picture  of  health. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Ford,  Ridgefield,  Conn.,  spine  and  female  weakness  eighteen 
years ;  could  not  walk  the  last  seven  years ;  cured  in  twenty  minutes. 

Emma  Chatfield,  Birmingham,  Conn.,  wry  neck  and  spine  disease,  five 
years ;  cured. 

Miss  LiBBiE  Hodges,  Danbury,  Conn.,  lung  disease  five  and  a  half  months ; 
cured. 

Mrs.  Mary  Anne  Dunham,  East  Windsor,  Conn.,  very  lame  ten  years,  wore 
two  crutches  ;  perfectly  cured  in  ten  minutes,  to  run,  jump  or  walk  as  well  as 
any  one,  without  even  limping. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Luthrop,  Lebanon,  Conn.,  spinal  weakness  three  years :  could 
not  walk ;  cured  in  ten  minutes,  and  walked  as  well  as  any  one. 

William  Keith,  postmaster,  Tolland,  Conn.,  cured  of  spasms  that  he  has 
had  from  infancy. 


86  THE    MODERN   BETHESDA. 

Mrs.  Anne  Stowe,  No.  5  Knox  court,  Hartford,  Conn.,  large  tumor  on  eye- 
lid ;  cured  instantly. 

Mrs.  Frances  A.  Canfield,  Seymour,  Conn.,  spine  disease  and  female 
weakness  ;  could  not  walk,  or  even  sit  up,  for  thirty-two  years ;  cured  to  walk, 
one  operation. 

Miss  Mary  E.  Scott,  Danbury,  Conn.,  lame  nine  years ;  cured  in  twenty 
minutes  to  walk  off  well  and  leave  her  crutches. 

Mercy  Bennett,  Deerfield,  Mass.,  female  weakness  ten  years  ;  cured. 

Miss  Celia  Merwin,  Higganum,  Conn.,  very  lame  two  years;  cured  in- 
stantly. 

Mrs.  P.  B.  Hinsdale,  171  Temple  street.  New  Haven,  weak  eyes  four 
years ;  cured  in  five  minutes. 

W.  C.  Waters,  129  Crown  street,  New  Haven,  weak  eyes  fifteen  years; 
could  not  see  to  read  ;  cured  to  read  and  has  no  further  use  for  glasses. 

Mrs.  John  S.  Farren,  Fair  Haven,  Conn.,  dyspepsia;  so  low  as  not  ex- 
pected to  live  ;  cured  in  fifteen  minutes  and  rode  out  next  day. 

Mrs.  Harriet  Parker,  106  Canal  street,  New  Haven,  rheumatism  since 
childhood ;  cured.     Also  sister  cured  of  lameness. 

Mrs.  Jane  Mullery's  child.  Fair  Haven,  Conn.,  hip  disease  ;  cured. 

Miss  Elizabeth  Bryan,  494  Chapel  street,  New  Haven,  bad  cough  six 
months ;  cured. 

Albert  Hyde,  Orange,  Conn.,  large  ulcer  on  leg,  cured  in  ten  hours.  Also 
cured  of  spine  disease  and  sciatica,  the  effects  of  a  fall. 

Miss  Elizabeth  Keith,  Union,  Conn.,  vocal  organs  paralyzed  ;  unable  to 
speak ;  cured  instantly. 

Mrs.  Jane  Anne  Hough,  Hartford,  heart  disease  and  female  weakness  six 
years ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Ellen  Wentworth,  7  Sheldon  street,  Hartford ;  cured  of  consump- 
tion. 

Mrs.  Darius  R.  Stockwell,  Putnam,  Conn.,  blind  four  years  and  three 
months,  total  with  one  eye;  cured.     Can  read  fine  print  without  glasses. 

Mrs.  Harris  Smith,  High  street,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  bad  cancer ;  cured. 

Geo.  Brown's  son,  jeweler.  Chapel  street,  New  Haven,  weak  spine  ;  unable 
to  walk ;  cured  instantly  to  walk  well. 

Mrs.  H.  Wilkinson,  Collinsville,  Conn.,  general  debility ;  very  sick  eight 
years  ;  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Geo.  S.  Annis's  daughter  Mary,  590  Chapel  street,  New  Haven,  hemor- 
rhage of  lungs  twenty-three  months  ;  cured. 

Wm.  Barber,  Westville,  Conn.,  paralysis  ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Mary  Davis,  Guilford,  Conn.,  bad  cough  for  years ;  cured  with  one 
treatment. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Mix,  39  Crown  street,  New  Haven,  cancer;  cured. 

Miss  Marietta  Lyon,  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  seventeen  years  old,  shortness  of 
breath  since  six  years  old.  The  distress  of  her  breathing  was  most  painful  to 
hear  ;  she  kept  her  mouth  open  all  the  time,  gasping  and  breathing  three  times 
where  a  well  person  would  once ;  cured  with  twenty  minutes'  treatment. 


,    IN    HARTFORD,    CONN.  8/ 

Geo.  H.  Howard,  Norwich,  Conn.,  rheumatism  ;  bad  fifteen  years  ;  cured. 
Also  straight  finger  made  to  bend  easy. 

Captain  David  Foster,  Putney,  Vt.,  sciatica  three  years  ;  cured  instantly  and 
left  crutch. 

Miss  Ama^nda  Danks,  Chicopee,  Mass.,  neck  perfectly  stiff  five  years ; 
cured  to  bend  freely  instantly. 

Mr.  Samuel  F.  Warner's  daughter,  Greenfield,  Mass.,  spinal  weakness  and 
hip  disease  ;  cured. 

Mr.  Francis  L.  Cady,  West  Stafford,  Conn.,  dyspepsia  ten  years  ;  cured. 
Wife  cured  of  lameness  and  daughter  of  blindness,  one  eye  was  totally  blind,  the 
other  nearly ;  restored  to  sight  to  read  fine  print 

Mr.  Daniel  Warner,  Ellington,  Conn.,  daughter  cured  of  St.  Vitus's 
dance.    When  brought  could  scarcely  walk. 

Marvin  W.  Perry,  New  Boston,  Thompson,  Conn.,  paralyzed  three  years; 
could  only  walk  with  crutch  and  cane,  and  a  person  to  steady  him  ;  perfectly 
cured  October  14th  in  twenty  minutes.     Left  crutch  and  cane. 

Henry  B.  Cook,  Bristol,  Conn.,  speechless  seven  months  ;  cured  to  speak 
well  instantly. 

Elijah  B.  Haywood,  Chicopee,  Mass.,  weak  spine  and  sciatica  ten  years ; 
cured  in  five  minutes. 

Horace  Warner,  Ellington,  Conn.,  weak  spine  and  sciatica  fifteen  years  ; 
cured. 

Miss  Sarah  E.  Brown,  Putney,  Conn.,  nervous  debility  and  spine  disease ; 
unable  to  sit  up  for  eighteen  months  ;  cured. 

Mr.  G.  Morgan  Smith,  postmaster,  South  Hadley,  Conn.,  paralysis;  well 
known  as  walking  with  two  canes  for  thirteen  years  ;  cured  with  one  treatment, 
and  walks  for  miles  without  the  use  of  a  cane. 

Mr.  George  A.  Mack,  Windsor,  Conn.,  lame  knee  and  tumor  ;  cured  in  five 
minutes. 

Abigail  Peck,  East  Hartford,  Conn.,  bed-fast  sixteen  years  ;  brought  in  a 
chair ;  cured  and  walked  out  to  carriage. 

Elizabeth  Goodwin,  45  Asylum  street,  Hartford,  hemorrhoids  ;  given 
over  as  incurable  ;  restored  to  health  after  twenty  years'  sickness. 

Jabez  West,  Tolland,  Conn.,  asthma  thirty  years  ;  cured  with  one  treatment' 

William  A.  Jordan,  Thompson,  Conn.,  rheumatism  thirty  years  ;  walked 
with  a  crutch  two  years ;  cured  in  five  minutes  and  ran  off  well. 

Mrs.  Eliza  Barret,  Willington,  Conn.,  sciatica  and  spine  disease  from  an 
injury  nineteen  years  since ;  cured  in  ten  minutes. 

Miss  Hattie  Field,  Willington,  Conn.,  could  not  swallow  any  thing  but 
liquid  for  eleven  years  ;  cured  instantly  to  eat  as  well  as  any  one. 

Herbert  Warren,  New  Hartford,  Conn.,  could  not  open  his  mouth  for 
four  years  ;  jaws  locked ;  cured  instantly. 

Matthew  Ahern,  138  Front  street,  Hartford,  cured  of  stammering  instantly. 

Mrs.  Mary  B.  Tingley,  Boston,  Mass.,  cured  instantly  of  lame  knee  and 
ankle. 


88  '  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Mr.  James  B.  Beach,  Ansonia,  Conn.,  speechless  nearly  two  years  ;  cured 
in  five  minutes,  to  talk  as  well  as  any  one. 

Mrs.  Robert  N.  Bassett,  Derby,  Conn.,  could  not  speak  a  word  for  four 
years  ;  cured  in  six  minutes  to  speak  as  well  as  any  one. 

Miss  Kate  White,  Birmingham,  Conn.,  lame  knee  three,  years  ;  cured 
instantly. 

Joel  H.  Root,  Bristol,  Conn.,  ruptured  ligament  in  right  knee  ;  thought  of 
having  leg  taken  off ;  cured  in  sixteen  minutes  ;  called  afterwards  and  reported 
able  to  walk  five  miles. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Cordelia  Young,  Branford,  Conn.,  speechless ;  cured  in- 
stantly. 

Zebulon  S.  Kelsey,  Huntington,  Loraine  Co.,  Ohio,  weak  eyes  fourteen 
years  ;  cured.     Wife  also  cured  of  lameness. 

Mrs.  Almira  Shelton,  Bradford,  Conn.,  cured  of  lameness. 

Calvin  Albree,  Durham,  Conn.,  lame  eight  years  ;  cured  instantly. 

From  Hartford,  Dr.  Newton  next  went  to  Springfield,  Mass., 
and  the  local  papers  thus  speak  of  him  : 

DR.    NEWTON'S   ARRIVAL. 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  the  celebrated  "healing"  physician,  whose  remarkable 
and  wonderful  cures  have  made  him  so  famous,  has  arrived  in  this  city,  and 
taken  rooms  in  the  Washington  Hall  building.  We  announce  Dr.  Newton's 
arrival  with  great  pleasure,  and  can,  from  personal  experience,  testify  to  the  re- 
markable efficacy  of  his  practice,  having  experienced  the  greatest  benefit  by  the 
Doctor's  operations  upon  our  eyes  which  have  long  troubled  us  by  reason  of 
weakness  of  the  "  optic  "  nerves,  and  for  which  difficulty  all  other  remedies  tried 
have  failed. 

It  will  be  noticed  by  consulting  Dr.  N.  that  he  neither  expects  nor  desires  pay 
for  his  services  from  those  who  are  not  abundantly  able,  but  invites  the  unfortu- 
nate and  afiflicted  of  all  classes  to  call  upon  him  at  his  rooms. 

We  have  been  favored  by  a  gentleman  we  well  know,  and  for  whose  charac- 
ter and  veracity  we  can  personally  vouch,  with  the  following  list  of  wonderful 
cures  effected  by  Dr.  Newton,  as  coming  within  his  own  knowledge  : 

Mr.  Thos.  W.  Wason  (car  builder),  Springfield,  Mass.,  internal  tumor;  not 
expected  to  live ;  was  permanently  cured  in  thirty  minutes,  and  walked  about  his 
grounds.  This  is  one  of  the  most  astonishing  cures  on  record.  The  tumor 
broke  and  discharged  a  gallon  or  more. 

Cyrus  D.  Hall,  of  Burke,  Vt.,  hip  disease  ;  suffered  pain  all  the  time ; 
came  to  Springfield  in  May,  1864 ;  used  two  crutches,  and  had  to  call  for  help  to 
get  into  the  "  Union  House  ;  "   entirely  cured  in  one  day.     Left  his  crutches. 

Mrs.  D.  E.  Remington,  Montague,  Mass.,  female  weakness,  general  debility, 
no  feeling  on  one  side,  tried  every  other  practice  without  benefit ;  her  husband 
called  and  reported  her  perfectly  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Mrs.  R.  a.  Brown,  6^  Union  street,  Springfield,  Mass.,  ovarian  tumor  of  im* 
mense  size  ;  perfectly  cured  by  one  treatment. 


IN    SPRINGFIELD,    MASS.  89 

Mrs.  Wm.  W.  Lee,  East  Longmeadow,  Mass.,  heart  and  spine  disease ;  cured 
by  one  treatment. 

Helen  M.  Dow,  Manchester,  N.  H.,  lame  many  years;  in  pain  all  the  time; 
cured  in  ten  minutes  and  left  her  crutch.  Called  afterwards  and  reported  her- 
self perfectly  well. 

Mrs.  Alzina  M.  Dunklee,  Burke,  Vt,  cancer  in  jaw  fifteen  years  ;  brought 
a  large  phial  full  of  bones  as  evidence  of  her  suffering ;  cured  by  one  treatment 
of  a  few  minutes. 

Miss  Sophia  Steele,  Springfield,  Mass.,  asthma ;  for  twenty-nine  years  un- 
able to  lie  down  to  rest ;  after  five  minutes'  treatment  she  was  perfectly  relieved. 

Geo.  D.  Scott,  Hartford,  Conn.,  spinal  complaint ;  crooked  forward  very 
badly  ;  cured  by  one  treatment  to  stand  as  straight  as  any  man. 

Mrs.  Mary  Barrows,  Rockville,  Conn.,  terrible  case  of  nervous  excitability 
for  eight  years  ;  cured  in  five  minutes. 

H.  R.  Foster,  Paper-Mill  Village,  N.  H.,  speechless  for  one  year ;  cured 
instantly. 

Mrs.  Luke  Pratt,  Central  street,  Springfield,  Mass.,  lame  five  years ;  cured 
in  ten  minutes  and  walked  out  of  the  house  to  meet  her  husband. 

Amasa  Rider,  Greenfield,  Mass..  pronounced  incurable  of  a  painful  disease 
by  the  most  eminent  physicians  in  the  country.  Received  only  about  five  min- 
utes' treatment  and  reported  herself  perfectly  cured  in  three  days. 

Rev.  Mrs.  Abbott,  Windsor,  Vt.,  could  not  walk  or  sit  up  for  fourteen  years; 
cured  to  walk  well  instantly. 

Mrs.  William  McCrae,  West  Concord,  Vt.,  paralyzed  five  years;  spinal 
disease  and  liver  complaint ;  cured  in  ten  minutes  and  walked  a  mile. 

Mrs.  Martha  G.  Gould,  157  Central  street,  Springfield,  Mass.,  ovarian 
tumor  over  two  years  ;  cured  with  one  treatment.     All  passed  off  the  next  day. 

Mrs.  A.  R.  Carroll,  her  son,  a  lad  thirteen  years  of  age,  Dwight  street, 
Springfield,  Mass.,  St.  Vitus'  dance  ;  cured  in  one  treatment. 

DiNEXiA  S.  Hawks,  Charlemont,  Mass.,  born  blind  ;  led  to  the  rooms  un- 
able to  see  more  than  to  tell  light  from  darkness ;  enabled  to  see  in  twenty 
minutes. 

Lewis  Dewolf,  Deerfield,  Mass.,  blind  with  one  eye,  a  thick  white  mem- 
brane covering  it ;  restored  to  see  well  with  one  treatment 

Mrs.  Martha  S.  Jones,  Emery  street,  Springfield,  Mass.,  bed-ridden  two 
years;  very  sick  for  five  years;  cured  in  five  minutes  to  dress  and  walk  out; 
called  many  times  at  the  rooms  to  express  gratitude  for  the  cure. 

Mrs.  L.  F.  TiTCOMB,  West  Springfield,  Mass.,  female  weakness  and  dyspep- 
sia twenty  years  ;  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Mrs.  Edgar  Holcomb,  Granville  Corners,  Mass.,  sick  twelve  years,  confined 
four  years  ;  brought  eighteen  miles  on  a  bed  ;  cured  in  a  few  minutes. 

G.  W.  Thayer,  Cedar  street,  Springfield,  lame  arm  two  years  ;  cured  in  ten 
minutes. 

Mrs.  C.  H.  Fassaur,  13  Wilcox  street,  Springfield,  cancer,  with  great  pain; 
cured. 

Mrs.  John  W.  Clark,  Springfield,  neuralgia,  very  bad  ;  cured. 


90  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Amelia  S.  Phelps,  Wilbraham,  spinal  disease  for  four  years ;  cured  in  a  few 
minutes  and  walked  two  miles. 

Mrs.  Leverett  Smith,  State  street,  tumor  ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Lottie  Currler,  Conway,  Mass.,  lame  and  stiff  knee ;  cured  instantly. 

Miss  Caroline  Nador,  3  Congress  street,  Springfield,  weak  and  inflamed 
eye  ;  cured. 

Miss  Amanda  Harthan,  No.  149  Central  street,  Springfield,  spinal  disease 
and  female  weakness ;  very  sick,  not  expected  to  live ;  cured  in  a  few  minutes 
on  the  evening  of  March  21st,  so  that  she  arose  from  her  bed,  dressed  herself, 
and  went  to  a  neighboring  house  and  notified  the  lady  who  was  to  watch  with  her 
that  her  services  were  not  needed.  The  next  morning  she  walked  three  miles, 
since  which  she  devotes  her  time  to  bringing  the  sick  and  afflicted  to  be  healed. 

Mrs.  Sarah  P.  Cook,  Hadley,  Mass.,  ovarian  tumor,  twenty-two  years  ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Ge"Orge  Bosworth,  Palmer,  Mass.,  tumor  in  breast ;  cured  instantly. 

Miss  Sybil  B.  Clapp,  Montague,  Mass.,  spasms  twenty  years  ;  cured. 

Miss  Arabella  C.  Gibbs,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  spinal  disease  and  lame  ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Henrietta  Davis,  34  Mulbury  street,  Springfield,  swelled  liver ;  not 
expected  to  live  ;  cured. 

Mrs.  L.  L.  Steadman,  Chicopee,  Mass.,  lame  ;  came  with  two  crutches;  in 
a  few  minutes  walked  off  well,  and  left  her  crutches. 

Mrs.  John  Fisher,  25  West  Union  street,  hernia  ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Caroline  Pomeroy,  Becket,  Mass.,  deafness  seven  years ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Ellen  Wood,  corner  of  Union  and  Main  streets,  St.  Vitus'  dance  and 
dropsy ;  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Mrs.  Julia  S.  Chapin,  Chicopee,  general  weakness  ;  unable  to  walk  without 
crutches ;  after  one  treatment  reported  herself  perfectly  cured. 

Mrs.  Benjamin  Purington,  Willimantic,  Conn.,  consumptive  three  years  ; 
failing  fast ;  perfectly  cured. 

Mrs.  George  Taylor,  Granby,  Mass.,  sick  twenty-one  years,  for  seven  years 
unable  to  walk  ;  brought  twelve  miles  on  a  bed  ;  cured  in  five  minutes,  and  made 
to  walk  perfectly  well. 

Mr.  JosiAH  T.  Hunt,  Cummington,  Mass.,  paralysis  entire  left  side,  the  leg 
entirely  useless  ;  cured  in  a  few  minutes,  walked  off  well,  and  left  his  crutches. 
His  mother,  who  had  been  paralyzed  five  years,  was  cured  at  the  same  time. 

Miss  Clara  D.  Gardner,  Chicopee,  Mass.,  spinal  disease  twenty-two  years  ; 
cured. 

Miss  Carrie  Jenks,  twelve  years  old,  daughter  of  Allen  Jenks,  Esq.,  of 
Mulbury  street,  Springfield,  spine  disease  and  withered  limbs  ;  came  on  crutches ; 
was  perfectly  cured  in  a  few  minutes,  ran  and  jumped  as  well  as  any  one.  Her 
limbs  are  now  of  natural  size.  An  eminent  physician  of  Springfield,  hearing  that 
she  was  to  be  carried  to  Dr.  Newton,  declared  it  was  all  mesmerism,  and  that 
he  could  do  it  as  well  as  any  one.  He  made  the  attempt,  but  without  success. 
He  then  said,  "  If  he  can  cure  her,  I  will  think  there  is  something  in  it." 

Mrs.  Winthrop  P.  Houston,  North  Amherst,  Mass.,  general  debility  ;  un- 
able to  walk  for  eighteen  months  j  cured  with  one  treatment ;  has  since  reported 
herself  perfectly  well. 


IN    SPRINGFIELD,    MASS. 


91 


WONDERFUL  CURE  BY  DR.  NEWTON. 


Dr.  Newton  is  still  working  wonders  upon  the  sick  and  lame  at  Union  Hall, 
who  fairly  crowd  his  rooms,  some  coming  from  a  long  distance.  One  of  his 
most  remarkable  cures  has  been  performed  upon  Mr.  T.  W.  Wason  of  this  city, 
who  was  down  with  a  severe  attack  of  what  was  considered  diphtheria,  accompa- 
nied by  neuralgia  in  the  head.  Dr.  Newton  visited  him  on  Tuesday  last,  re- 
moved his  difficulties  almost  instantly,  and  cured  him  besides  of  an  internal 
tumor  of  several  years'  growth.  Our  citizens  know  Mr.  Wason  for  a  matter  of 
fact  man,  not  likely  to  be  imposed  upon,  and  he  gives  very  strong  reasons  for  his 
faith  in  Dr.  Newton. 


92  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

VALUABLE    REMEDIES   AND    HEALTH    MAXIMS. 

Hot  Water  as  a  Remedial  Agent. — Treatment  of  Insanity. — A  Case. — Drug  Medicines. — 
Health  Maxims. — Vaccination. — Gall  Stones,  how  removed. — Sleeping  with  the  Hands 
to  the  Head. — Breathing  Tubes. 

To  relieve  the  monotony  of  these  narratives  of  wonderful  cures, 
the  following  paper  written  by  Dr.  Newton,  setting  forth  his  views 
on  several  questions  in  therapeutics,  is  here  introduced — albeit  the 
illustrative  cases  therein  referred  to  are  brought  to  notice  out  of 
their  chronological  order. 

HOT   WATER   AS    A    REMEDIAL   AGENT. 

Second  in  importance  to  magnetism  in  the  treatment  of  certain 
diseases  is  the  use  of  hot  water.  It  is  a  cure  for  softening  of  the 
brain,  neuralgia,  delirium  tremens,  brain  fever,  effects  of  sun-strokes, 
scrofula  and  scald-head.  Even  insanity  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten 
can  thus  be  cured. 

My  manner  of  treatment  is  this  :  I  have  the  faucets  of  the  bath 
connected  by  a  rubber  tube,  with  which  is  connected  a  three-eighths 
inch  tube  of  convenient  length,  through  which  I  have  a  stream  of 
water  of  the  temperature  of  ii8  to  120  degrees,  flow  over  the  head 
of  the  patient.  For  insanity,  this  is  done  three  times  a  day,  thirty 
minutes  each  time,  for  a  period  of  ten  to  thirty  days,  as  the  case 
may  require,  when  a  permanent  cure  will  be  the  result. 

Hot  water  may  also  be  used  with  success  in  treating  other.dis- 
eases,  such  as  affections  of  the  spine  and  kidneys,  even  diabetes 
and  Bright's  disease.  I  scarcely  ever  fail  to  cure  this  last  named 
disease,  even  though  the  patient  be  advanced  in  years.  Such  a 
case  was  that  of  C.  H.  Reed,  26th  and  Howard  streets,  San  Fran- 
cisco. He  was  so  low  with  Bright's  disease  of  the  kidneys  that  his 
case  was  regarded  as  hopeless.     I  felt  sure,  however,  that  I  could 


VALUABLE    REMEDIES,    ETC.  93 

cure  him,  and  so  assured  him.  His  wife,  following  me  to  the  door 
in  tears,  said  :  "  You  are  flattering  him  !  You  do  not  mean  that 
he  can  be  cured  I  "  I  told  her  I  was  confident  of  success.  With- 
magnetic  treatment  and  the  persistent  use  of  hot  water  on  his  back 
Hot  three  weeks,  for  thirty  minutes  thrice  a  day,  he  was  cured. 
!  Another  extreme  case  was  that  of  Captain  Cole  Farnsworth,  of 
Astoria,  Oregon.  He  was  afflicted  with  asthma,  a  consumptive 
cough  and  Bright's  disease.  He  had  not  lain  down  for  forty  days 
and  nights,  but  had  sat  in  his  chair  with  his  head  resting  on  the 
back  of  another  chair,  or  on  a  cane,  and  suffered  constant  pain. 
He  was  taken  to  my  hotel  in  San  Francisco.  I  made  the  hot 
water  application  three  times  a  day,  pouring  it  down  the  spine, 
across  the  kidneys,  causing  profuse  perspiration,  giving  at  the  same 
time  magnetic  treatment,  and  in  three  weeks  he  left  the  hotel  a 
well  man  and  returned  to  Oregon. 

Lame  limbs,  sores,  ulcers,  and  even  cancers  can  be  cured  or 
benefited  by  the  use  of  hot  water ;  also  weak  or  inflamed  eyes. 
The  same  bath  should  be  given  in  cases  of  inflammatory  rheuma- 
tism. It  is  a  sure  cure  within  a  week,  even  though  the  whole  body 
be  afflicted.  I  use  it  in  extreme  cases  only,  and  when  time  and 
circumstances  allow.  But  from  the  success  that  has  attended  its 
application,  I  can  confidently  recommend  it  to  every  one  as  a 
valuable  remedial  agent  in  the  treatment  of  these  diseases.  In 
any  case  it  is  a  powerful  auxiliary,  and,  when  proper  magnetic 
treatment  cannot  be  obtained,  a  good  substitute. 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  Banner  of  Light:— 

A  CASE  OF  INSANITY  CURED  BY  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

A  case  of  insanity  in  its  worst  form  was  successfully  treated  recently  by  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton,  35  Harrison  avenue,  Boston,  under  the  following  circumstances  : 

Six  months  since,  Mr. ,  of ,  brought  his  son,  a  young  man,  to  be  cured. 

He  was  taken  directly  from  the  lunatic  asylum  in  .  The  father  was  ad- 
vised not  to  bring  him,  as  he  could  not  live  to  get   here.     Mr. said:  "I 

will  carry  my  child  to  Dr.  Newton,  if  he  dies  by  the  way."  His  condition 
seemed  utterly  hopeless.  Much  confidence  was  given  Mr. by  the  represen- 
tations of  a  prominent  merchant  in  this  city,  who  stated  that  he  had  been  cured 
of  a  bad  case  of  catarrh  by  Dr.  N.,  with  one  treatment,  and  that  a  lady  friend  of 
his  was  perfectly  relieved  of  insanity,  fifteen  months  since,  after  having  been  in 
two  asylums.  Her  case  had  been  pronounced  incurable  by  several  physicians  ; 
but  since  the  Doctor's  treatment,  she  has  continued  well  to  this  time. 


94  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Young  Mr. is  now  a  picture  of  health  and  happiness,  and  has  charge  of 

a  branch  of  his  father's  business.     His  mother,  who  had  turned  gray  with  sor- 
row in  a  year,  for  the  confinement  of  her  dear  son,  writes  to  Dr.  Newton  the 
following  letter : 
My  Dear  Dr.  Newton  : — 

Allow  me  to  address  you,  to  express  my  gratitude  for  the  great  good  you 
have  done  me  and  mine.  I  have  been  trying  to  write  you  ever  since  you  restored 
my  darling  son  to  me  in  such  perfect  health.  I  am  so  happy  !  My  joy  is  un- 
speakable !  I  have  not  words  to  express  fully  my  joy  and  gratitude.  And  he  is 
so  happy  too !     He  never  was  so  free  to  converse  as  at  the  present  time. 

My  whole  soul  flows  out  in  gratitude  to  God  and  to  you  for  his  restoration. 
My  prayer  is,  that  He  may  prolong  your  life  to  make  other  souls  glad  and 
happy. 

MRS. . 

Other  cases  might  be  cited,  but  I  forbear. 

I  have  never  known  any  one  restored,  and  but  few  benefited, 
by  confinement  in  an  asylum,  while  I  have  seen  many  whose  cases 
were  rendered  more  hopeless  thereby.  In  mild  cases  the  patient 
should  never  be  placed  in  confinement.  The  physical  organism  is 
diseased ;  and  with  proper  magnetic  treatment,  and  other  treat- 
ment, such  as  I  have  described  for  the  brain,  with  rest  and  quiet, 
and  pleasant  surroundings,  he  will  soon  be  restored  to  health. 

MEDICINES. 

I  am  opposed  on  general  principles  to  the  use  of  drug-medi- 
cines. The  injury  to  the  system  far  overbalances  the  benefits  re- 
ceived. Anodynes,  emetics  and  cathartics  all  have  their  respective 
uses,  and  are  sometimes  a  necessity.  I  do  not  say  that  medical 
doctors  never  cure,  but  I  believe  that  the  magnetism  that  is  im- 
parted with  their  medicines,  unconsciously  to  themselves,  no 
doubt,  does  more  toward  curing  disease  than  the  medicines  admin- 
istered. I  once  knew  an  eminent  physician  in  charge  of  a  hospital 
for  the  sick,  who,  for  two  years,  gave  his  patients  only  bread  pills, 
and  his  success  was  greater  than  he  had  ever  had  before. 

There  are  exceptional  cases  in  which  a  simple  remedy  may  be 
used  with  good  results,  as  well  as  the  outward  application  of  hot 
w^ater.  In  my  own  practice,  if  conditions  were  always  right,  there 
would  be  no  need  of  such  aids.  But  where  there  is  but  little  if  any 
faith,  and  some  antagonism;  some  external  aid  or  harmless  remedy, 
even  if  it  be  as  simple  as  bread  pills,  facilitates  the  cure.     The 


HEALTH    MAXIMS,  ETC.  95 

patient's  mind  cooperates  with  mine  in  doing  as  ±  request ;  faith 
is  increased,  and  the  patient  becomes  more  negative  and  receptive 
to  the  healing  influence  of  magnetism. 

The  following  health  maxims  and  advice  are  worthy  of  atten- 
tion, and  if  followed  will  prevent  many  of  the  ills  that  flesh  is 
heir  to : — 

HEALTH  MAXIMS. 

True  knowledge  of  healing  will  do  away  with  drugs  altogether. 

Avoid  all  patent  medicines :  they  answer  the  purpose  only  for  which  they  are. 
made,  viz. :  to  make  money  and  deceive,  but  they  never  cure. 

Never  put  cold  water  on  weak  or  diseased  eyes. 

Cold  water  should  never  be  used  on  the  head ;  but  hot  water  for  all  diseases 
of  the  head  or  brain. 

Wearing  garters  makes  cold  feet  and  crippled  limbs. 

Never  sleep  or  sit  with  the  hands  up  to  the  head  :  it  will  cause  heart  disease, 
consumption,  liver  complaints,  dyspepsia,  etc. 

Spirit-magnetism — the  life  principle — may  be  imparted  from  one  to  another; 
and  is  the  only  power  to  heal  the  sick. 

Never  tamper  with  your  eyes  or  ears. 

Nitrate  of  silver,  or  any  other  drug,  cannot  be  used  on  the  eyes  without 
injury. 

Never  use  or  take  opiates  or  other  anodynes. 

Sorrow,  grief,  fear,  or  any  extraordinary  emotion,  will  cause  disease  :  so,  to 
be  well,  be  cheerful,  and  wear  a  pleasant  countenance. 

Never  suffer  tortures  from  professed  physicians'  bleeding,  cauterizing,  cup- 
ping, plasters,  or  the  use  of  liniments,  calomel,  nux  vomica,  arsenic  or  any  other 
drugs  or  poisons  that  a  well  person  could  not  take  without  serious  injury.  All 
such  practice  and  pretended  science  is  empiricism,  quackery  and  deception,  and 
an  insult  to  reason  and  common  sense. 

The  hair  of  dead  or  diseased  persons,  worn  on  the  head,  may  be  very  injuri- 
ous zxA  produce  disease. 

VACCINATION. 

This  is  a  practice  that  causes  a  vast  amount  of  disease  and  suf- 
fering. Its  effects  are  infinitely  more  terrible  than  the  disease  it 
is  designed  to  prevent.  No  matter  how  pure  the  vaccine  matter 
may  appear  to  be,  virus  is  left  in  the  system,  which  will,  sooner  or 
later,  be  developed  in  scrofula  or  some  other  filthy  disease.  Were 
I  to  relate  a  few  of  the  cases  that  have  fallen  under  my  observa- 
tion, of  persons  injured  by  this  practice,  it  would  fill  the  mind  with 
horror. 


(^6  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

GALL-STONES. 

This  is  a  disease  that  is  very  prevalent,  but  in  regard  to  which 
physicians  and  people  in  general  are  astonishingly  ignorant. 
Thousands' of  persons  are  complaining  of  dyspepsia,  liver  difficulty 
and  other  diseases,  when  the  real  cause  of  their  illness  is  gall- 
stones. The  symptoms  are  general  weakness  and  lassitude,  de- 
pression of  spirits  and  pain,  particularly  in  the  right  side  and  back 
of  the  head,  with  general  derangement  of  the  system.  The  com- 
plexion is  often  sallow. 

The  following  remedy  is  always  effectual  in  removing  this  dis- 
ease. Before  retiring  at  night  take  two  ounces  of  olive  oil.  The 
next  morning  at  six  o'clock,  take  a  seidlitz  powder,  and  repeat  it 
once  every  half  hour  until  the  bowels  are  moved.  On  commenc- 
ing to  take  the  powders,  place  the  right  hand  over  the  lowest  right 
rib,  beneath  which  lies  the  gall-bladder,  and  work  the  hand  in  such 
a  way  as  to  force  the  stones  to  the  duodenum  or  lower  stomach. 
The  gall-stones  will  soon  pass.  The  condition  of  the  patient  be- 
gins to  improve  at  once,  and  gradually  his  system  regains  its 
healthy  tone.  In  my  practice  in  San  Francisco,  I  cured  more  than 
three  hundred  persons  of  this  disease,  and  in  the  State  of  California 
over  four  hundred. 

SLEEPING  WITH  THE  HANDS  TO  THE  HEAD. 

One  of  the  most  injurious  and  also  one  of  the  most  common 
habits  of  men  and  women  is  sleeping  with  the  arms  extended  on 
the  pillow  above  the  head.  In  this  posture  the  arteries  leading 
from  the  heart  to  the  head  are  closed,  producing  temporary  con- 
gestion, and  forcing  the  blood  back  to  the  lungs  and  heart.  This 
habit,  if  long  continued,  will  produce  heart  disease  and  other  phys- 
ical derangements,  often  ending  in  consumption.  I  believe  three- 
fourths  of  these  diseases  to  be  caused  by  this  practice,  and  thou- 
sands have  been  saved  by  my  timely  warning. 

BREATHING  TUBE. 

In  healing  certain  organic  diseases,  I  make  use  of  a  silver  tube 
through  which  the  magnetism  is  conveyed  by  my  breath  directly  to 


VALUABLE    REMEDIES,    ETC.  9/ 

the  diseased  parts.  This  tube  is  three  inches  in  length  and  three 
quarters  to  seven-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  In  treating  dis- 
eases of  the  lungs,  heart  or  liver,  I  place  it  over  the  parts  affected, 
outside  the  clothing,  and  with  powerful  exhalations  I  send  the  mag- 
netism, which  passes  out  with  the  breath,  thereto,  willing  the  dis- 
ease to  depart.  The  healing  influence  permeates  the  organ  and 
affects  a  cure. 

In  prolapsus  uteri  the  treatment  is  the  same.  The  magnetic 
current  contracts  the  muscles  and  heals  the  inflammation  and  ulcer- 
ation at  once.     A  weak  back  is  invariably  relieved  thus. 

As  the  magnetism  is  first  communicated  to  the  brain,  to  impart 
it  by  my  will-power,  or  at  most,  to  lay  my  hands  upon  the  head,  is, 
as  a  rule,  all  that  is  required  to  effect  a  cure  ;  but  in  severe  organic 
diseases,  partly  to  satisfy  the  patient  and  partly  to  facilitate  the 
cure,  I  make  use  of  the  silver  tube. 

7 


THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

IN   ROCHESTER   AND   AUBURN,  N.  Y. — HAVANA,    CUBA. — NEW 
ORLEANS. — SAVANNAH. CHICAGO. 

Public  Healing  in  Rochester. — Marvellous  Results. — List  of  Cures. — Testimonies  of  the 
Press. — Extraordinary  Power  exhibited  at  Auburn. — Statements  of  the  Press  and  of 
Individuals. — Visit  to  Havana. — Cure  of  a  Catholic  Priest. — Great  sensation  in  con- 
sequence.— Throngs  of  Patients. — Three  to  Five  Hundred  treated  per  day.— Cures  at 
New  Orleans. — At  Savannah.— At  Chicago. — Testimony  of  a  Medical  man. — "  The 
Blind  receive  their  Sight,  and  the  Lame  Walk." — "  Days  long  to  be  remembered  !  " 

In  September,  1864,  Dr.  Newton  went  to  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
Here  he  healed  publicly,  in  Washington  Hall,  every  day,  and  visited 
patients  at  their  homes  in  the  evening.  Both  here  and  in  Auburn 
he  accomplished  a  vast  amount  of  good,  and  effected  marvellous 
results  in  the  way  of  healing,  as  the  ensuing  accounts  published  at 
the  time  show  : — 

Mr.  Emmett  B.  Cook,  17  years  old,  42  Hudson  street,  Rochester,  spine  dis- 
ease and  inflammatory  rheumatism ;  legs  drawn  up  and  calloused.  Spine  and 
legs  straightened  and  perfectly  cured ;  walks  as  well  as  any  one,  to  the  wonder  of 
all  who  knew  him. 

Palman  Kentfield,  15  years  old,  Pearl  street,  Canandaigua,  N.  Y. — Blind 
since  three  and  a  half  years  old.  Restored  to  perfect  sight  in  ten  minutes  to  see 
the  finest  print;  he  voluntarily  observed  a  few  hours  after,  "  It  is  like  living  in  a 
new  world." 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Morris,  Warsaw,  Wyoming  county,  N.  Y. — Unable  to 
speak  even  in  a  whisper  for  two  years ;  used  a  slate.  Was  cured  in  five  minutes 
to  speak  as  distinctly  as  anybody. 

Mrs.  Emma  E.  Bailev,  Lima,  Livingston  county,  N.  Y. — Lung  disease  and 
bad  cough ;  cured. 

Cornelia  A.  Groat,  Rochester,  N.  Y. — Spine  disease  for  four  years;  cured. 

R.  G.  Wells,  Albion  county,  N.  Y. — Lame  twenty  years;  cured  instantly  to 
walk  as  well  as  any  man  living. 

Miss  Martha  Reynolds,  84  St.  Paul  street,  Rochester. — Inflammatory 
rheumatism;  unable  to  sit  up;  cured,  rose  from  her  bed,  dressed  herself,  and 
was  well  from  that  hour. 


IN    ROCHESTER,  N.  Y.  99 

Sanford  p.  Nellis,  Clarkson,  Monroe  county,  N.  V. — Epilepsy  four  or  five 
years — fits  daily;  perfectly  cured. 

Reuben  T.  Stiles,  Monroe  street,  Rochester. — Bad  sprain  of  knee;  walked 
off  and  left  two  crutches. 

Mrs.  Alexander  Hess,  Bath,  N.  Y. — Sprained  knee — unable  to  walk; 
cured  instantly.  . 

Harriet  J.  Peacock,  32  Stone  street,  Rochester. — Spinal  curvature,  chronic 
headache  and  neuralgia;  perfectly  cured. 

Mrs.  M.  J.  Kidd's  daughter,  14  Albert  street,  Rochester. — Cancerous  scrof- 
ula in  nose  four  years ;  perfectly  cured  with  five  minutes'  treatment. 

Robert  Gordon,  Adams  street,  near  Prospect  street,  Rochester. — Bad 
lateral  curvature  of  the  spine — legs  and  knees  drawn  up ;  brought  in  arms  like 
an  infant;  spine  and  legs  both  straightened,  and  has  since  walked  well. 

Miss  Frances  Cornelia  Bascomb,  Ludlowville,  N.  Y.— Defective  sight — 
could  not  see  a  light  most  of  the  time  for  ten  years ;  great  nervous  debility  and 
vomiting;  perfectly  cured  in  ten  minutes. 

\Vm.  H.  Cheeney,  No.  4  Livingston  Place,  Rochester — General  debility, 
weak  neck,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  hold  his  head  without  an  iron  support  for 
seven  years ;  cured  in  five  minutes. 

Sarah  Bodkin,  No.  4  Lafayette  street,  Rochester. — Bad  case  of  rheumatism; 
perfectly  cured. 

Mrs.  Laura  Ann  Price,  45  Stone  street,  Rochester. — Lame  nine  years — 
female  weakness  twenty  years ;  perfectly  cured. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Flagler,  Macedon  Centre,  N.  Y. — Cured  of  consumption. 

LuciNDA  Fonda,  Savannah  street,  Rochester. — Asthma;  cured. 

Mrs.  John  R.  Gansevoort,  Bath,  N.  Y. — Dislocated  shoulder;  cured  in- 
stantly. 

Almira  Sears,  East  Bloomfield,  N.  Y. — Could  not  raise  her  eyelids  for  ten 
years  without  using  her  fingers  to  hold  them  up ;  cured  instantly. 

Mrs.  Frederick  Hubbell,  East  Mendon,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y. — Very 
sick  and  paralyzed  fifteen  years ;  brought  in  a  chair — unable  to  stand  or  move 
her  feet,  or  raise  her  hands  to  her  head ;  cured  by  touch  instantly. 

Miss  Nella  Noaell,  Auburn,  N.  Y. — Stiff  knee  for  many  years;  cured 
instantly. 

John  Woodworth,  Auburn,  N.  Y. — Lame  five  years;  cured  instantly. 

Curtis  C.  Morgan,  4  Academy  street,  Auburn,  N.  Y. — Speechless  eighteen 
months ;  perfectly  cured,  to  the  joy  and  wonder  of  many  witnesses. 

Arthur  Burtis,  Detroit,  Mich. — Cured  of  deafness.  Child  also  cured  of 
chronic  dysentery  and  scrofula. 

Mrs.  Hulda  C.  Satterlee,  Horse  Heads,  Chemung  county,  N.  Y. — Vari- 
cose veins  cured. 

Susan  Hughes,  South  street,  Rochester. — Rheumatism  cured  with  one 
treatment. 

Miss  Ida  Deane,  4  North  Ford  street,  Rochester. — ^Jaundice — bad  circula- 
tion; paralyzed  for  sixteen  years  with  stiff  knee;  perfectly  restored  to  health. 

Mrs.  James  May,  Bath,  Steuben  county,  N.  Y. — Bad  inflamed  eyes;  cured. 
Also  her  husband  cured  of  deafness. 


100  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Mrs.  Ann  Bishop,  Elizabethtown,  Essex  county,  N.  Y. — Large  tumor  on 
wrist ;  cured  instantly. 

Miss  Clarissa  Hackett,  Dundee,  Yates  county,  N.  Y. — Lame  seven  years, 
scrofula  and  catarrh;  cured  with  ten  minutes'  treatment. 

From  the  Rochester  Evening  Express^  Nov.  28  :— 

DR.  NEWTON. 
Those  who  enumerate  among  their  reasons  for  thanksgiving  the  blessings  of 
good  health,  are  perhaps  not  aware  of  the  amount  of  good  done  by  this  public 
benefactor  who  has  recently  come  among  us.  But  hundreds  daily  of  the  maimed, 
the  halt,  the  deaf  and  the  blind,  can  testify  to  his  wonderful  power.  Not  con- 
tent with  simply  practicing  the  healing  art,  he  remembers  the  pecuniary  need  of 
his  patients,  as  in  many  cases  we  have  heard  those  who  have  been  relieved  from 
suffering  '*  without  m^ney  and  without  price,"  are  surprised  and  gladdened  by 
munificent  donations  from  the  hand  of  the  healer. 

From  the  same  paper  : — 

ONE  MORE  UNION  VOTE. 

We  learn  that  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  last  week  visited  a  gentleman  in  the  town 
of  Mendon,  who  had  been  confined  to  the  house  by  sickness  nearly  seventeen 
years,  and  most  of  the  time  unable  to  leave  his  bed.  Dr.  Newton  remained  at 
the  house  all  night,  and  the  next  day  he  was  so  far  relieved  that  he  could  go  out 
in  the  carriage.  He  goes  to  the  poll  to-day,  and  casts  a  straight  Union  vote — 
the  first  ticket  he  has  voted  in  many  years. 

From  the  Rochester  Democrat : — 

EXTRAORDINARY  CASE. 

Yesterday  morning  Mr.  F.  G.  Lacy,  of  Scottsville,  called  at  the  Democrat 
office  to  give  his  personal  testimony  regrrling  the  benefits  derived  by  him  from 
the  treatment  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton.  For  ten  years  Mr.  Lacy  has  been  the  vic- 
tim of  spinal  disease.  During  the  past  three  years  he  has  been  confined,  most 
of  the  time,  to  the  house,  and  frequently  compelled  to  keep  his  bed,  unable  to 
move  without  assistance.  He  became,  of  course,  much  emaciated  and  very 
weak.  Last  Saturday  he  was  brought  to  the  city  in  a  carriage  and  conveyed  to 
Dr.  Newton's  rooms  in  Washington  Hall  Block.  Within  ten  minutes  after  he 
passed  under  the  Doctor's  hands  he  was  practically  cured.  Delighted  with  the 
success  of  the  experiment  he  started  071  foot  to  return  home,  and  had  actually 
walked  four  miles  when  he  was  overtaken  by  his  friends  with  the  carriage.  We 
are  certain  that  he  could  walk  well  enough  yesterday,  because;  we  saw  him  do 
it,  and  he  assured  us  that  the  only  difficulty  he  experienced  was  a  slight  lame- 
ness of  the  muscles,  caused  by  their  being  brought  into  active  service  after  so 
long  a  period  of  disuse.  As  might  be  expected,  Mr.  Lacy  is  delighted  with  his 
disenthralment,  and  his  gratitude  to  Dr.  Newton  knows  no  bounds. 


IN    ROCHESTER,  N.  Y.  lOI 

From  the  Tioga  Democrat,  Waverly,  N.  Y.  :— 
DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON  AGAIN. 

This  wonderful  physician  has  attracted  a  large  number  of  people  from 
Waverly  and  its  vicinity  to  his  office  in  Rochester,  for  his  special  treatment  in 
cases  of  lameness,  deafness,  spinal  affection,  disease  of  the  heart,  female  weak- 
ness, etc.,  etc.  These  citizens  and  neighbors  have  returned  benefited  or  com- 
pletely restored,  and  can  now  relate  their  own  experience  to  the  great  joy  of 
their  friends,  and  in  favor  of  the  greatest  medical  man  in  the  world.  Most  of 
these  cases  were  considered  incurable.  *  *  *  Many  a  one  residing  in  Waverly 
will  long  remember  this  eminent  Christian  man  in  high  admiration,  and  add  their 
testimony  to  his  unsurpassed  skill  and  astonishing  cures.  Let  the  sick  and 
afflicted  continue  to  go  and  be  healed. 

During  the  Doctor's  sojourn  in  Rochester,  he  visited  the 
neighboring  city  of  Auburn,  and  healed  the  sick  one  day  in  Mark- 
ham  Hall,  free  of  charge.  There  was  a  dense  crowd  of  people 
present.  On  this  occasion,  it  is  said,  "  the  Doctor  seemed  to  have 
more  power  than  usual.  Often  at  the  merest  touch  or  word  the 
most  virulent  diseases  would  disappear.  Only  on  two  or  three 
occasions  did  he  ever  have  such  wondrous  power."  Wm.  White, 
Esq.,  of  Boston,  who  was  present,  caused  the  following  article  to 
be  published  in  the  Banner  of  Light,  of  that  city  : — 

ASTONISHING  CURES   BY  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

We  have  repeatedly  taken  occasion  to  lay  before  the  readers  of  the  Banner  of 
Light  many  remarkable  cases  of  healing  by  the  world-renowned  benefactor,  J. 
R.  Newton,  which  are  so  nearly  akin  to  what  the  Bible  represents  as  miracles 
as  to  be  almost  incredible,  were  they  not  well  indorsed  by  reliable  human  tes- 
timony. 

Wm.  White,  Esq.,  publisher  of  the  Banner  of  Light,  visited  Rochester  and 
Auburn,  N.  Y.,  several  weeks  ago,  for  the  purpose  of  witnessing  the  effect  on 
invalids  of  the  healing  power  possessed  by  Dr.  Newton,  and  was  highly  gratified 
and  astonished  at  what  he  saw.  Persons  afflicted  with  almost  every  grade  of 
suffering  were  restored  to  active  life  and  usefulness.  We  believe  we  cannot  fill 
a  column  with  matter  which  would  be  of  more  interest  to  our  readers,  than  an 
account  of  some  of  the  most  recent  cases  where  the  suffering  have  found  speedy 
relief  from  the  hands  of  this  apostle  of  Spiritualism.  These  facts  should  be 
sufficient  for  at  least  one  satisfactory  answer  to  the  skeptic's  daily  repeated  ques- 
tion, '*  Of  what  use  is  Spiritualism  ? "  If  they  cannot  yet  see  any  good  in  our 
beautiful  and  divine  philosophy,  let  them  ponder  on  this  one  fact  until  their 
hearts  and  eyes  are  opened  sufficiently  to  let  into  their  souls  the  light  and  truth. 

Were  these  things  done  within  the  pale  of  the  theologic-scientific  world,  the 


I02  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

religious  and  secular  press  would  hardly  find  words  sufficiently  expressive  of 
their  astonishment  and  admiration,  and  would  eagerly  place  the  facts  before 
their  readers,  thousands  of  whom  would  unquestioningly  accept  their  statements 
as  truth.  But  now  those  presses,  except  in  rare  instances,  refuse  e\  e  i  to  pub- 
lish well  a.uihent\c^ted /acfs  which  occur  in  the  spiritual  ranks,  preferring  to 
denounce  them  all  as  "  humbug  "  rather  than  let  their  readers  see  and  judge  for 
themselves.  Well,  we  can  abide  our  time  :  "  truth  is  mighty  and  will  prevail," 
so  we  have  no  apprehensions  for  the  future  on  that  score.  *  *  *  We  will 
give  a  paragraph  from  the  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  Advertiser^  of  Dec.  3d,  1864  • 

"  Miracles. — The  age  of  miracles  would  seem  to  have  been  reinstated,  in 
the  wonderful  doings  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  whose  recent  visit  to  this  city  was 
attended  by  so  many  and  such  almost  incredible  cures  of  bed-ridden  and  crip- 
pled patients.  It  is  well  known  to  hundreds  in  this  community,  that  in  less  than 
a  minute  he  has  totally  removed  the  infirmities  of  months  and  years.  How  it  is 
accomplished — whether  by  psychology  or  other  means  is  yet  undetermined — 
certain  it  is,  however,  we  have  known  of  his  causing  the  limping  cripple  to  lay 
down  his  crutches,  without  which  locomotion  was  impossible,  and  giving  him 
full  powers  of  easy  movement :  the  dumb  have  been  enabled  to  talk,  and  the 
helpless  invalid  restored  at  once  to  health  and  happiness. 

"  Dr.  Newton  will  be  at  Markham  Hall  to-morrow  (Sunday)  morning,  from  ten 
o'clock  in  the  morning  until  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  where  the  afflicted  are 
invited  to  come  and  be  cured  without  money  and  without  price.  We  understand 
this  is  his  last  visit  here.  All  who  wish  relief  should  see  him.  Read  his  an- 
nouncement in  another  column." 

In  accordance  with  the  above  announcement  Dr.  Newton  visited  Auburn. 
Before  the  hour  arrived  for  the  meeting  the  hall  was  crowded  with  the  ailing 
and  the  curious.  Shortly  after  the  Doctor  entered  the  hall,  he  commanded 
"  Silence  "  in  a  clear  and  distinct  voice,  and  in  a  moment  all  were  quiet,  listen- 
ing eagerly  to  catch  every  word  which  might  fall  from  the  great  healer's  lips. 

The  Doctor  then  began  a  short  address.  He  told  the  multitude  that  the 
healing  power  manifest  through  him  was  the  same  as  that  possessed  by  Jesus 
and  his  apostles,  who  said  that  "these  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe." 
He  had  discovered  this  healing  principle  in  the  law  of  love  as  taught  by  Jesus. 
That  we  are  all  brothers  and  sisters  of  one  common  Father;  that  the  spirit  of 
God  dwells  in  each  one,  as  it  did  in  him — ^but  not  so  fully  developed — whereby 
we  could  heal  the  sick,  raise  the  fallen,  restore  the  outcast,  and  bid  them  come 
up  higher,  as  the  angels  are  ever  beckoning  to  us.  These  angels  are  the  spirits 
of  our  departed  friends,  many  of  them  our  nearest  and  dearest  loved  ones  who 
once  mingled  with  us  in  earth-life.  He  assured  the  audience  that  these  spirit- 
friends  were  with  them  at  that  time  to  witness  the  opening  of  the  great  Seal,  and 
aid  in  curing  suffering  mortals  by  the  touch  of  the  hand  ;  they  proclaim  "  peace 
on  earth  and  good  will  to  man." 

At  the  close  of  this  brief  address  the  Healer  proceeded  to  cure  the  ailing 
ones  present  by  the  "  laying  on  of  hands  "  (except  cases  of  epilepsy,  which  the 
ancient  apostles  could  not  cure  ;  these  he  took  into  a  room  by  themselves). 

The  Doctor  had  invited  those  who  had  sick  friends  that  could  not  be 


IN    AUBURN,    N.  Y.  IO3 

brought  to  the  hall,  to  bring  any  portion  of  wearing  apparel,  handkerchiefs, 
shoes,  caps,  etc.,  worn  by  them,  and  he  would  cure  them  by  touching  those 
articles,  and  many  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  by  doing  so.  As  he 
handled  the  various  articles,  he  pronounced  his  healing  blessing  upon  the  sev- 
eral cases  with,  so  far  as  known,  great  success.     We  will  cite  a  few  : — 

One  lady  brought  a  stocking  worn  by  a  very  sick  child  who  was  not  ex- 
pected to  recover.  The  Doctor  took  the  stocking  in  his  hand,  and  kindly  said 
to  the  lady,  "  Go  home  and  you  will  find  the  child  well  and  sitting  up  !  "  She 
went  away  with  a  heart  full  of  hope  and  faith,  and  returned  again  in  the  even- 
ing, happy,  saying  that  when  she  arrived  home  she  found  the  child  well,  and 
sitting  up  in  a  chair  as  the  Doctor  told  her  she  would. 

A  little  girl  named  Emma,  eight  years  old,  daughter  of  Mr.  Clark,  of 
Auburn,  who  had  never  walked,  was  made  to  rise,  walk,  jump  and  run  with  ease. 

Dr.  Newton  informed  Mr.  White  that  he  thought  the  cures  were  quite,  if  not 
more,  certain  by  the  mere  touch  of  his  hand  than  by  manipulation,  as  has  here- 
tofore been  his  practice.  If  this  is  so,  it  is  truly  an  astonishing  increase  to  his 
healing  powers,  and  readily  accounts  for  his  being  able  to  treat  over  two  thou- 
sand persons  in  the  course  of  nine  hours,  while  the  excitement  amid  the  throng 
was  growing  more  intense  every  moment.  Truly  the  spiritual  world  must  throw 
an  immense  power  upon  him  in  order  to  sustain  him  and  bring  him  through  the 
ordeal  so  triumphantly,  for,  at  the  close  of  this  great  day's  labor,  the  Doctor 
stated  that  he  did  not  feel  any  more  tired  than  when  he  commenced  in  the  morn- 
ing, which  astonished  his  friends  very  much,  and  no  doubt  would  himself,  did 
he  not  know  that  he  was  but  the  humble  instrument  in  the  hands  of  the  highest 
powers  to  relieve  the  infirmities  of  humanity. 

We  will  give  another  instance  of  healing  by  the  Doctor's  touching  an  article 
worn  by  the  invalid  :-^ 

The  brother  of  Miss  Georgia  Curtis,  who  resides  in  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  took  a 
ring  from  off  his  sister's  finger — she  being  very  deaf — and  carried  it  to  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.,  where  Dr.  Newton  was  then  practicing.  The  Doctor  touched  the 
ring,  saying  to  the  brother,  "  Go  home  to  your  sister  ;  she  is  cured,  and  will  at 
this  instant  hear  an  explosion  like  a  pop-gun  in  her  ear."  The  brother  started 
for  home,  and  on  his  arrival  he  found  his  sister  perfectly  cured  of  her  deafness, 
and  that  at  the  very  time  the  Doctor  named,  she  heard  a  report  in  her  ear  like 
an  explosion.  The  facts  in  this  case  are  certified  by  J.  L.  Hewson  and  E.  C. 
Burtis.  While  in  Auburn,  Mr.  White  took  especial  pains  to  see  and  converse 
with  Miss  Curtis.  He  also  learned  that  she  had  been  deaf  for  many  years,  and 
that  the  facts  stated  above  are  true. 

Mr.  White,  while  in  the  hall  at  Auburn,  Dec.  i8th,  saw  a  man  who  had  been 
sick  twenty  years,  and  unable  to  walk  for  the  last  six,  according  to  his  own 
statement.  He  was  brought  into  the  hall  by  four  men.  In  five  minutes  after 
Dr.  Newton  laid  his  hand  on  him  he  was  able  to  raise  himself  up  and  walk  out 
of  the  hall  without  assistance,  the  men  who  brought  him  in  taking  up  the  chair 
and  following  him. 

Another  man,  who  had  used  crutches  for  four  years,  on  account  of  lameness, 
caused  by  the  kick  of  a  horse  on  his  knee,  was  cuied  by  Dr.  NewtoA  in  three 


I04  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

minutes,  and  walked  away  from  the  hall  without  the  aid  of  any  one.  His  phy- 
sicians had  previously  said  that  he  could  never  be  helped — one  of  whom  shoul- 
dered his  crutch  and  followed  him  from  the  hall. 

A  still  more  remarkable  case,  where  the  patient  was  virtually  "  raised  from 
the  dead,"  is  related  by  Mr.  White.  A  lady,  the  wife  of  Henry  Forncrock, 
residing  in  Clyde,  N.  Y.,  some  thirty  miles  distant,  who  had  been  very  sick  for 
six  years,  was  brought  to  the  Exchange  Hotel  in  Auburn,  where  Dr.  Newton 
was  stopping.  When  she  left  home  her  friends  bid  her  farewell,  never  expecting 
to  see  her  return  again  alive.  On  arriving  at  the  hotel  she  was  brought  in  on  a 
bed,  and  placed  in  a  room  adjoining  the  Doctor's  operating  room — he  being 
temporarily  absent,  dining  with  friends — in  such  a  low  condition  that  she  was 
thought  to  be  dying.  Presently  the  Doctor  came  in,  and  went  into  the  room 
where  she  lay,  apparently,  as  the  Doctor  afterwards  said  to  Mr.  White,  breath- 
ing her  last,  and  placing  his  hand  upon  her  forehead,  in  a  firm  and  kind  tone 
said,  "  Disease,  depart.  Arise  and  stand  upon  your  feet."  And  she  at  once 
obeyed  the  command.  The  Doctor  then  directed  her  to  go  into  the  dining-room 
and  eat  a  good  beefsteak.  She  complied  with  this  request  also,  and  relished 
her  dinner  exceedingly  well.  After  returning  to  the  Doctor's  room,  he  took 
hold  of  her  hands,  and  they  danced  around  the  room  quite  lively,  she  stepping 
off  as  briskly  as  a  girl  of  seventeen,  notwithstanding  she  had  become,  from  her 
long  confinement,  very  thin  and  emaciated.  When  ready  to  start  for  home,  she 
walked  out  of  the  hotel  and  got  into  the  sleigh  unaided  by  any  one.  For  three 
years  she  had  not  been  able  to  take  any  nourishment  except  liquids,  gruels  and 
the  like.  Mr.  White  says  if  he  had  not  been  an  eye-witness  to  this  case  he 
could  hardly  have  credited  the  story  of  so  wonderful  a  cure. 

We  will  cite  another  case  which  Dr.  Newton  cured  in  presence  of  Mr. 
White  while  he  was  in  Rochester.  Miss  Sarah  Hart,  of  Dundee,  Yates  county, 
N.  Y.,  who  had  been  speechless  for  twenty-seven  years,  was  cured  in  ten  minutes, 
and  freely  conversed  with  Mr.  W.  in  a  strong  voice.  She  could  hardly  find 
words  to  express  her  thanks  to  God  for  the  restoration  of  so  great  a  blessing 
through  the  instrumentality  of  Dr.  N. 

Quite  a  number  of  other  cases  were  cured,  and  others  greatly  relieved,  whose 
diseases  were  not  made  public. 

We  will  relate  an  incident  to  show  how  intuitive  Dr.  Newton  is.  While 
healing  the  multitude  in  Auburn,  the  hall  being  so  crowded  as  to  greatly  impede 
the  progress  of  any  one  through  it,  and  for  twenty  feet  around  the  Doctor  was 
densely  packed,  he  looked  down  the  hall  and  saw  a  man  with  anxiety  depicted  in 
his  face,  and  immediately  coming  in  rapport  with  him,  and  not  knowing  his 
name,  cried  out,  "  Thomas,  come  here."  The  crowd  opened  a  passage  for  him, 
and  as  he  approached  the  Doctor  questioned  him  thus  :  "  Thomas,  what  ?  "  The . 
young  man  replied,  "  Yes,  Thomas  Watt,"  thus  showing  that  the  Doctor  had 
intuitively  pronounced  his  name.  He  then  bid  the  young  man  go  his  way  healed 
of  his  infirmities.     And  it  was  even  so. 

We  might  enumerate  many  more  cases  which  have  come  under  Dr.  Newton's 
successful  treatment,  but  we  think  enough  at  this  time  have  been  mentioned  to 
awaken  an  inteEe&t  in  the  wonderful  healing  power  which  is  being  unfolded. 


IN    HAVANA,    CUBA.  IO5 

The  Auburn  Advertiser  and  Unioft  of  Dec.  5,  1864,  thus  speaks 
of  this  remarkable  day  : — 

Much  excitement  was  caused  in  this  city  yesterday  by  the  visit  of  Dr.  J.  R. 
Newton,  whose  peculiar  system  of  healing  has  created  a  general  stir  throughout 
the  country  wherever  he  exercises  his  wonderful  powers.  From  the  hour  of  ten 
in  the  morning  until  one  o'clock,  p.  m.,  Markham  Hall  was  densely  packed  by 
the  "lame,  halt  and  blind,"  "the  wounded,  sick  and  sore,"  beside  hundreds  of 
others  whose  curiosity  led  them  there  to  witness  the  cures  performed.  The  lame 
and  rheumatic  were  made  to  discard  their  crutches  and  walk  off,  the  deaf  were 
made  to  hear,  the  blind  to  see,  and  the  dumb  to  speak.  In  this  matter-of-fact 
age  it  is  hard  to  convince  the  public  that  such  things  can  be  true ;  but  hundreds 
have  witnessed  the  effects  produced  by  the  gentleman,  and  have  had  conviction 
forced  upon  their  minds.  More  than  2,500  persons,  variously  afflicted,  visited 
him  yesterday  at  the  hall  and  at  his  rooms  in  the  Exchange  Hotel.  We  were 
present  during  the  evening,  and  witnessed  several  remarkable  cures.  One  of 
the  most  striking  of  these  was  a  case  of  lameness  in  a  little  girl  named  Emma 
Clark,  the  daughter  of  a  widow  residing  on  Owasco  street.  The  child  had  been 
unable  to  do  more  than  hobble  about  the  house,  until  a  charitable  neighbor 
applied  to  the  Doctor,  who,  by  means  of  an  article  of  the  girl's  clothing  brought 
to  him  at  the  Hall,  passed  his  influence  to  the  sufferer  and  enabled  her  to  walk 
to  the  hotel  in  the  evening,  when  he  caused  her  to  run  about  the  room  freely 
without  help.  His  services  to  the  poor  are  gratis,  and  none  but  the  wealthy  are 
required  to  pay  a  fee. 

His  power  is  claimed  to  be  derived  from  heaven,  and  his  ideas  are  at  vari- 
ance with  the  established  forms  of  the  Church.  These  we  do  not  propose  to 
discuss ;  but  certain  it  is,  that  those  who  have  seen  his  cures  are  filled  with  con- 
flicting impressions  regarding  the  origin  of  his  mysterious  powers,  a  majority 
being  convinced  of  their  reality. 

One  unrnistakable  case  came  under  our  immediate  attention — that  of  a  dis- 
tressing inflammatory  rheumatism.  The  sufferer  had  been  unable  to  walk  or 
bear  the  slightest  touch.  Dr.  Newton  visited  the  patient,  exercised  his  power, 
and  enabled  her  to  walk  through  the  house  at  once.  The  first  full  night's  rest 
in  eight  weeks  was  the  immediate  consequence,  and  the  invalid  is  still  able  to 
walk  and  use  her  limbs  freely,  with  the  prospect  of  speedy  restoration  to  former 
good  health.  Such  things  are  indeed  wonderful,  and  furnish  a  theme  for  study 
and  reflection.  Dr.  Newton  has  certainly  proved  himself  a  benefactor,  and  his 
private  charities  are  not  alone  confined  to  healing.  The  poor  share  his  purse, 
and  his  benevolence  is  widespread. 

From  the  Banner  of  Light : — 

A  CURE  BY  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

Publishers  of  Banner  :—****  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  has  cured  my 
wife  of  paralysis,  from  which  she  has  been  suffering  for  fifteen  years  the  3d  of 


I06  THE    MODERN    CETHESDA. 

June  last.  We  carried  her  to  Dr.  Newton  In  a  chair  ;  she  was  unable  to  move 
her  feet,  or  lift  a  book  with  her  hands.  Dr.  Newton  placed  his  hand  upon  her 
head,  and  said,  "  The  Lord  bless  you ;  arise  and  walk ;  '*  and  she  arose  instantly 
and  walked  off,  well.  Now  this  was  all  done  without  any  manifestations  of  any 
kind. 

I  was  induced  to  try  Dr.  Newton,  owing  to  the  cure  of  Mr.  Joseph  Town- 
send,  of  our  town,  equally  miraculous,  causing   the  greatest  excitement  in   the 

neighborhood. 

Respectfully  yours, 

FREDERICK  HUBBELL. 
East  Mendon,  Munroe  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  Sth,  1864. 

From  E.  R.  Gridley,  of  Auburn  : — 

A  CARD. 

I  wish  to  make  it  known  to  the  world,  that  from  being  a  helpless  and  most 
hopeless  cripple  I  was  restored  to  perfect  health.  I  had  heard  much  of  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton,  but  my  case  was  so  bad  that  I  hardly  dared  to  hope ;  still  I  went 
to  the  Doctor  two  years  ago.  He  cured  me  of  my  paralysis  perfectly,  and  I  have 
been  well  ever  since.  I  publish  this  card  as  some  other  doctors  say  that  the 
cures  do  not  last.     I  will  be  pleased  to  be  referred  to. 

[i866.]  E.  R.  GRIDLEY,  Auburn,  N.  Y. 

In  December,  1864,  Dr.  Newton  visited  Havana,  Cuba,  for  the 
purpose  of  enjoying  a  respite  from  his  arduous  labors  in  the  genial 
climate  of  that  tropical  island.  He  was  not,  however,  destined  to 
rest  even  there,  for  his  fame  had  preceded  him,  and  he  was  urgently 
pressed  to  exercise  his  healing  powers.  Dr.  Wilson,  an  American 
physician,  offered  his  large  mansion  for  the  purpose,  which  he 
accepted.  The  first  patient  was  a  Catholic  priest,  who  had  a  can- 
cer on  the  foot,  and  had  not  walked,  even  with  the  aid  of  crutches, 
for  six  years,  but  had  kept  his  bed.  Dr.  Newton  visited  him,  and 
after  a  few  minutes'  treatment  he  arose  and  walked,  and  accom- 
panied the  Doctor  to  his  carriage,  saying  through  an  interpreter 
as  he  cordially  pressed  his  hand  in  parting,  "  When  I  say  Mass,  it 
shall  be  for  your  soul.  Jesus  has  found  one  good  enough  to  endow 
with  the  power  of  healing."  The  priest  was  entirely  cured,  and  it 
produced  so  .great  a  sensation  among  the  Cubans,  that  the  house 
that  would  hold  two  hundred  persons  was  daily  filled,  while  outside 
the  throng  was  so  great  that  a  strong  police  force  was  constantly 
on  guard  to  preserve  order.  From  three  to  five  hundred  persons 
were  daily  treated  during  the  Doctor's  stay  of  six  weeks.     The 


IN    NEW    ORLEANS.  lO/ 

same  success  attended  him  there  as  elsewhere,  and  a  large  propor- 
tion treated  were  cured.  He  also  received  marked  kindness  and 
attention  from  the  citizens  of  Havana  during  his  entire  stay.  After 
paying  a  short  visit  to  Matanzas  he  started  for  the  North,  stop- 
ping by  invitation  a  few  days  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  and  Savannah, 
Ga.,  as  the  following  brief  notices  inform  us.  The  first  is  from 
a  New  Orleans  correspondent  of  a  northern  paper  (name  not 
preserved) : — 

DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

Dr.  Newton  has  left  us  for  Savannah,  Ga.,  where  the  same  success  which  at- 
tended him  in  New  Orleans  will  undoubtedly  follow,  for  he  has  found  the  true 
secret  of  healing,  which  is  benevolence  and  charity.  Long  shall  we  remember 
his  parting  words,  so  full  of  import  to  all  mediums  who  would  devote  themselves 
to  healing  the  human  body. 

"  Tell  all  your  friends,"  said  he,  "  and  impress  it  upon  their  minds,  that  any 
person  who  will  try  to  heal  the  sick  by  laying  on  of  hands,  will  never  succeed  if 
he  lays  his  hands  on  the  pockets  of  the  poor." 

Acting  on  this  principle,  he  always  refused  to  take  any  thing  from  those  who 
he  thought  were  not  well  able  to  pay  him.  He  did  not  reap  a  golden  harvest 
while  here,  but,  like  the  healer  of  Nazareth,  he  leaves  us  and  goes  forth  accom- 
panied by  the  blessings  of  many  a  poor  invalid  whom  he  has  made  whole. 

It  was  the  first  time  that  we  had  the  happiness  and  good  luck  to  see  him,  but 
long,  long,  shall  that  bright  face,  on  which  benevolence  beams,  be  present  to  our 
mind's  eyes.  And  when  he  took  us  by  the  hand  we  felt  lighter,  more  at  ease,  a 
weight  was  taken  from  the  heart,  humanity  appeared  under  a  new  light ;  we  left 
him  stronger  for  good,  and  resolved  to  struggle  on  and  march  onward  in  the  path 
of  duty,  though  the  thorns  might  tear  our  hands  or  the  rocks  blister  our  feet. 

For  the  gratification  of  the  Doctor's  many  friends  we  will  here  give  a  few, 
among  the  many, of  the  cures  that  would  informer  times  have  been  called  w/rar- 
ulotis,  effected  by  him  in  New  Orleans.        *        «        « 

As  we  were  in  the  Doctor's  office  the  two  following  persons  called  nearly  to- 
gether to  express  their  thanks  for  the  good  they  received : 

John  Knight,  94  Notre  Dame  street. — Nearly  total  blindness  and  general  health 
much  impaired.  He  could  not  read  the  largest  size  letters  of  a  poster.  He  read  a 
small  card  that  happened  to  be  on  the  table.  John  has  an  arm  amputated.  He 
said  that,  since  the  Doctor  operated  on  him,  not  only  his  health  was  much  im- 
proved but  he  felt  as  if  the  lost  arm  was  restored  and  he  could  move  his  fingers. 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Helfrich,  220  Derbigny  street.— Great  inflammation  of  the 
eyes,  extending  all  around  on  the  face.  Total  blindness.  She  could  not  walk  alone, 
and  was  brought  to  the  Doctor's  office.  The  next  day  she  was  enabled  to  go 
home  alone,  and  when  we  saw  her  no  trace  of  inflammation  appeared,  and  she 
was  going,  basket  in  hand,  to  buy  her  marketings,  unassisted  by  anybody. 

Mrs.  Mary  H.  Barnes,  Jefferson  City,  had  a  very  bad  rheumatism.    She  had 


I08  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

been  a  sufferer  and  invalid  for  many  years.  She  was  brought  and  carried  into 
the  Doctor's  office,  and  after  his  treatment  she  went  back  to  her  carriage  and 
stepped  into  it  without  assistance.     She  is  now  cured. 

We  witnessed  the  two  following  cases  : 

Miss  Margaret  Truckwell,  of  Algiers,  La.,  was  brought  to  the  office  by  a 
lady  friend.  Her  attendant  had  to  speak  very  loud  to  make  her  hear.  After  three 
minutes'  treatment  she  could  hear  the  smallest  whisper,  and  she  went  forth  re- 
joicing. 

Mrs.  Burke,  corner  St.  Thomas  and  Edwards  street,  had  a  sore  foot  that  she 
had  not  put  on  the  ground  for  three  years ;  she  walked  with  a  crutch.  The 
Doctor  made  her  quit  her  crutch  and  walk  around  the  office.  In  ten  minutes 
she  went  oft,  and  is  now  cured. 

From  a  letter  in  the  Banner  oj  Lights  from  New  Oneans  : — 

The  recent  flying  visit  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  to  this  city  reminds  me  of  a  duty 
I  owe  him  and  the  world :  to  make  a  statement  of  the  benefits  conferred  by  him 
upon  myself  and  others  within  my  observation. 

My  sight  began  to  fail  in  1859.  In  October,  1865,  it  was  so  far  gone  that 
I  was  unable  to  see  any  person  at  ten  feet  distance,  except  as  a  shapeless 
shadow.  Cataract  on  both  eyes.  I  was  recommended  by  Madam  Pickenfaus,  of 
Indiana,  to  apply  to  Dr.  Newton  for  relief.  I  started  for  Columbus,  Ohio  On 
the  way  I  found  Mr.  William  Gaines,  of  Arkansas,  totally  blind,  on  his  way  to 
Philadelphia,  to  have  surgical  operations  performed  on  his  eyes.  I  persuaded  him 
to  go  with  me.  We  both  called  at  Dr.  Newton's  rooms  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  on 
the  22d  of  October,  1865,  where  Dr.  Newton  operated  on  us.  I  was  benefited 
immediately,  and  in  the  course  of  ten  days  so  far  relieved  that  I  was  able  to  at- 
tend to  my  usual  business,  and  am  now  able  to  read  small  print  with  facility. 
Mr.  Gaines  was  enabled  to  see  the  railroad  depot,  two  hundred  yards  distant, 
and  to  walk  to  it  without  assistance. 

While  we  were  at  Dr.  Newton's  rooms  a  crippled  colonel  of  the  United  States 
Army  came,  with  the  arm  and  leg  of  one  side  distorted  and  useless.  He  was  an 
unbeliever  in  the  power  of  Dr  Newton,  or  any  human  means  of  relief.  He  said 
that  he  came  there  only  to  gratify  his  wife  Dr.  Newton  operated  on  his  arm, 
then  on  his  leg,  with  perfect  success.  The  colonel  put  on  his  coat  with  ease, 
which  he  said  he  had  not  been  able  to  do  during  the  two  previous  years,  and 

walked  away  as  well  as  any  other  person. 

ISAAC  WRIGHT, 

Of  Troy,  Indiana,  and  of  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  during  the  winter  seasons. 

From  the  Savannah  Nnus  and  Herald  :— 

Editors  "  News  and  Herald"  : 

Dear  Sirs  : — In  justice  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  and  for  the  benefit  of  suffering 
humanity,  please  allow  me  a  few  lines  space  in  your  valuable  columns.  My  wife 
(Mrs.  Laura  M.  Gould)  has  been  afflicted  five  years,  and  for  the  past  two  years 


IN    NEW    ORLEANS. 


109 


has  been  actually  confined  to  her  bed.  On  hearing  of  Dr.  Newton's  wonderful 
success  in  curing  the  sick  and  afflicted,  I  hauled  her  from  my  residence,  eleven 
miles  from  Savannah,  on  her  bed,  called  Dr.  Newton  to  see  her,  and  in  ten 
minutes  she  was  enabled  through  his  treatment  to  get  up  and  walk  across  the 
room.  This  was  Monday  afternoon  ;  and  she  has  been  constantly  improving, 
has  walked  out  on  the  streets  and  has  called  to  see  Dr.  Newton  at  his  rooms  in  the 
Pulaski  House.  Let  all  sufferers  call  and  see  this  great  and  good  man,  in  faith, 
and  God  will  bless  them  with  a  cure  through  him. 

\VM.  H.  GOULD. 

From  the  same  : — 

DR.  NEWTON'S  WONDERFUL  CURES. 

Inasmuch  as  several  rumors  calculated  to  convey  erroneous  impressions 
have  been  circulated  in  relation  to  the  wonderful  cure  of  Mrs.  F.  Grosclaude, 
performed  by  Dr.  Newton,  I  deem  it  my  duty,  and  but  an  act  of  simple  justice 
to  this  distinguished  physician  whose  curative  powers  have  been  tested  upon 
thousands  of  persons,  invalids  of  long  standing,  whose  diseases  have  baffled 
the  skill  of  the  most  scientific  physicians  and  been  pronounced  incurable  by 
many  of  the  highest  members  of  the  medical  profession,  to  refute  these  false 
reports  by  giving  this  unsolicited  testimony.  Mrs.  Grosclaude  has  been  afflict- 
ed, for  upwards  of  seven  years,  with  spinal  disease  and  other  difficulties  of 
the  nervous  system,  during  which  period  she  has  been  for  many  months  con- 
fined to  her  room,  compelled  to  keep  her  couch,  and  has  never  during  that  time 
been  able  to  walk  out  of  doors.  Both  the  allopathic  and  homoeopathic  course 
of  treatment  had  been  tried,  but  little  or  no  relief  could  be  obtained,  until  the 
services  of  Dr.  Newton  were  called  into  requisition.  After  half  an  hour's  ex- 
periment in  his  simple  method,  my  wife  was  able  to  travel  up  and  down  stairs, 
and  to  walk  with  me  a  distance  of  half  a  mile,  without  any  noticeable  effort  or 
the  least  fatigue.  From  that  time  up  to  the  present  period  Mrs.  Grosclaude  has 
continued  to  improve  and  now  enjoys  excellent  health. 

I  have  reluctantly  consented  to  make  this  public  declaration  and  brief  state- 
ment, but  ascertaining  that  the  most  ridiculous  falsehoods  were  being  freely  circu- 
lated in  regard  to  the  permanency  and  truth  of  Dr.  Newton's  miraculous  cure, 
in  justice  to  him  and  the  public,  together  with  a  deep  sense  of  gratitude,  seemed 
to  require  this  much  of  an  explanation  at  my  hands,  which  I  cheerfully  give  with- 
out the  knowledge  or  intimation  to  Dr.  Newton  of  its  appearance  in  print.  If 
the  statement  I  have  made  shall  prove  to  be  the  means  of  inducing  others  who 
may  be  similarly  afflicted  to  test  the  powers  of  Dr.  Newton,  my  object  will  have 
been  attained. 

F.  GROSCLAUDE. 

Dr.  Newton  made  a  visit  to  Chicago  about  this  time,  which  was 
productive  of  great  results.  An  eye-witness  to  the  remarkable 
scenes  enacted  there,  in  speaking  of  the  event  says  : — 


no  THE    MODERN   BETHESDA. 

"  I  am  a  graduate  of  three  medical  schools,  and  of  course  was,  by  education, 
prejudiced  against  every  mode  of  treatment  of  disease  differing  from  my  own. 
Being  an  invalid,  and  having  abandoned  all  hope  of  help  from  every  other  source, 
I  went  to  Doctor  Newton,  feeling  a  kind  of  desperation.  I  coughed  and  expec- 
torated blood,  almost  incessantly.     In  a  few  moments  he  entirely  cured  me. 

"  I  also  watched  his  operation  upon  other  patients — saw  him  remove  a  cancer- 
ous swelling  from  a  woman's  hand  in  three  minutes,  by  my  watch ;  saw  him 
cause  a  boy  seven  years  old  to  walk,  who  had  never  taken  a  step  in  his  life. 

"  Three  blind  men  were  led  upon  the  platform  at  one  time.  Doctor  Newton 
passed  his  hands  over  their  eyes  a  few  minutes  and  their  sight  was  restored. 
He  then  introduced  them  to  each  other,  amid  the  cries  and  shouts  of  the  au- 
dience." 

Another — ^Joseph  Richardson,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri — says  : — 

"  I  went  in  on  crutches  which  I  had  used  seven  years.  The  good  man  met 
me  saying  :  '  God  bless  you,  my  brother,  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  for  I  can  cure 
you  ! '  and  in  a  few  minutes  I  was  walking  unaided  to  the  astonishment  of  myself 
and  every  one  present.     The  same  day  I  walked  over  seven  miles. 

"  I  remained  in  the  city  nearly  a  week,  for  the  purpose  of  beholding  the  won- 
ders daily  being  wrought  at  Metropolitan  Hall,  which  surpassed  every  thing  of 
which  I  had  ever  heard  or  dreamed.  The  amount  of  work  performed  by  Doctor 
Newton,  as  well  as  the  cures,  was  simply  wonderful.  On  several  occasions  he 
.  treated  a  thousand  patients  a  day.  The  streets  swarmed  with  invalids  eager  for 
admittance  to  the  great  healer.  Often  a  thousand  persons  waited  without,  and 
finding  it  impossible  to  gain  an  entrance  turned  away  disappointed,  to  await  a 
better  opportunity. 

"  Newspaper  offices  were  besieged  by  multitudes  of  the  cured,  in  answer  to 
requests  from  editors  and  proprietors,  to  furnish  them  cases  of  cures  for  publica- 
tion.   They  were  days  long  to  be  remembered." 


IN    NEW   YORK    CITY    AGAIN.  TH 


CHAPTER  IX. 

IN   NEW   YORK   CITY   AGAIN. 

A  Public  Address,  accompanied  by  Healing. — The  Healer's  own  Account  of  the  Nature 
and  Source  of  his  Power. — Illustrative  Cases. — Numbers  Healed  on  the  Spot. — Ex- 
citing Scenes. — Corroboration  of  the  Tribune. — The  Dispatch  Testifies  to  "  Modem 
Miracles." — Other  Testimonies  of  the  Press  and  Individuals.—"  Forty  Thousand 
Cases"  treated. 

In  May,  1866,  Dr.  Newton  revisited  New  York  City,  opening 
an  office  at  No.  6  St.  Mark's  Place.  On  Sunday,  May  13th,  he,  by 
invitation,  gave  a  public  address  in  Dodvvorth's  Hall,  in  elucidation 
of  his  mode  of  healing,  accompanying  this  address  by  illustrations 
of  the  healing  power  exerted  on  invalids  in  the  audience.  From  a 
full  report  of  the  occasion,  published  in  the  Banner  of  Light ^  the 
following  account  is  condensed.  It  sets  forth  very  clearly  the 
Doctor's  own  views  of  the  nature  and  source  of  the  wonderful 
power  exhibited  through  him  : — 

THEORY  AND  PRACTICE. 

A  Lecture  detiveredin  Dodwortlks  Hall,  New  York,  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Nezvton,  Sunday .^ 
May  13//5,  1866. 

Mr.  Partridge  introduced  Dr.  J.  R  Newton  in  the  following  words  : — 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen, — I  observe  that  there  are  a  number  of  faces  pres- 
ent this  morning  not  usually  with  us,  and  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  welcome 
you  to  this  hall.  Let  me  say  that  this  Society  seeks  to  carry  out  practical  relig- 
ion; usefulness;  good  in  every  direction  ;  and  we  consider  that  the  healing  of 
persons  diseased  is  a  great  deal  better  than  many  sermons.  We  have  invited  a 
gentleman  this  morning  to  elucidate  healing  by  touch  and  will-power.  We  have 
invited  him  to  practically  illustrate  the  mode  on  invalids  who  may  be  present.  I 
have  the  pleasure  of  introducing  Dr.  J  R.  Newton,  residence  No.  6  St.  Mark's 
Place. 

Dr.  Newton  then  came  forward  and  said  :- 

My  Friends, — I  am  happy  to  address  you  this  morning  on  a  subject  which 
is  important  not  only  to  each  and  every  one  of  us,  but  to  all  mankind.  It  is  in 
regard  to  healing  the  sick  by  touch,  will-power,  or  the  laying  on  of  hands,  as  it  was 


ri2  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

called  by  the  ancients.  There  is  a  latent  power  of  magnetic  life  in  all.  Some 
have  it  to  greater  and  some  to  a  less  extent.  The  imparting  of  it  depends  some- 
what on  the  individual  organization.  I  will  endeavor  to  elucidate  this  so  clearly 
as  to  be  perceptible,  and,  I  think,  practical  to  those  that  wish.    *    *    * 

In  the  first  place,  the  fundamental  principles  are  the  same  that  Christ  taught 
— "  Love  your  neighbor.  Do  unto  others  as  you  would  have  them  do  unto  you." 
And,  as  he  says,  if  you  believe  on  me,  the  works  I  do  shall  ye  do  also.  Preach- 
ers that  teach  and /ra<://r<r  what  they  teach  are  few,  or  else  they  would  heal  the 
sick,  as  did  Jesus  and  the  Apostles.  It  seems  to  me  to  be  the  highest  calling 
and  duty  of  the  clergy  to  lay  hands  on  the  sick  and  heal  them,  and  their  want 
of  practical  faith  is  the  reason  they  do  not  do  it. 

It  was  not  alone  in  Christ's  time,  but  for  three  or  four  hundred  years  after, 
the  same  mode  of  cure  was  generally  practised.  What  was  good,  and  a  law, 
eighteen  hundred  years  ago,  is  good,  and  a  law,  to-day ;  Jesus  came  not  to  de- 
stroy the  law,  but  to  fulfill.  Now  if  persons  desire  me  to  heal  them,  and  come 
freely,  of  their  own  will,  I  am  certain  to  heal  them,  if  they  have  a  curable  dis- 
ease ;  but  if  they  are  brought,  or  do  not  desire  to  come,  I  might  not  perhaps 
succeed,  though  I  have  sometimes  done  so.  A  person  should  come  voluntarily. 
"  Ask  and  ye  shall  receive ;  seek  and  ye  shall  find."  Having  a  strong  will- 
power, I  feel  that  the  power  of  God  is  with  me.  Each  one  is  an  emanation  from 
the  Divine  Father ;  and  knowing  this,  and  that  the  spirit  of  God  abideth  within 
us,  I  endeavor  to  live  such  a  life  as  to  have  confidence  in  myself,  and  I  have  the 
evidence  that  when  I  speak  to  an  assembly  I  carry  that  magnetic  force  and  prin- 
ciple with  the  words  I  speak,  so  that  each  one  shall  feel  in  the  recesses  of  his 
individual  soul  that  I  practice  what  I  teach: 

I  would  be  ashamed,  if  I  were  a  speaker  or  preacher,  to  address  an  audience 
and  have  some  of  them  go  to  sleep  because  of  the  want  of  magnetic  force.  What 
and  whence  is  the  power  of  the  orator  and  statesman  in  all  ages  ?  It  is  magnetic 
force  that  influences.  The  man  must  have  faith  in  -himself  and  his  powers  to 
have  this  controlling  influence  ;  and  whoever  has  this  faith,  real  and  true  faith, 
can  control  a  nation  with  their  individual  forces.  This  is  the  power  by  which 
Napoleon  and  other  heroes  have  controlled  nations.  With  this  faith  in  perfec- 
tion one  may  say  to  the  mountain,  "  Be  thou  removed  into  the  sea !  "  and  it 
shall  obey.  Not  that  it  may,  but  \i  shall.  This  magnetic  power— if  any  one  has 
it  to  a  great  extent— all  present  shall  feel  its  influence  and  effect ;  not  only  those 
present,  but  the  city  in  which  he  is,  and  not  the  country  only,  but  the  universe 
itself  feels  the  influence  and  power  of  one  good  man  or  magnetizer.  Know  ye 
not  that  God  is  within  you,  and  that  the  internal  or  soul  of  man  is  God  manifest 
in  the  flesh  ? 

You  may  have  all  the  religion  in  the  world,  and  without  good  works  it  is 
nothing;  and  you  will  never  be  developed  in  wisdom  without  a  practical 
religion  of  good  will  to  all  and  good  works.  Feed  the  hungry  and  clothe  the 
naked.  It  will  be  of  greater  benefit  to  either  of  us  to  feed  one  hungry  mortal 
than  to  spend  a  lifetime  in  prayer  and  fasting,  and  more  acceptable  to  God ;  lift 
up  those  who  are  fallen.  We  who  have  the  position  and  advantages  of  intelli- 
gence and  education,  who  have  enough  to  eat  and  drink,  and  luxuries  as  com- 


IN    NEW   YORK    CITY    AGAIN  II 3 

forts,  should  go  among  the  fallen,  unfortunate  and  debased,  and  urge  them  to 
morality  and  virtue,  and  to  come  up  to  higher  life.     *    *    * 

I  heal  a  great  deal  by  the  garments  of  the  sick  which  are  brought  to  me,  by 
the  magnetic  influence  that  attaches  to  them,  and  also  by  the  influence  of  per- 
sons coming  from  their  sick  friends  at  a  distance.  I  say  I  heal,  but  it  is  not  me  ; 
it  is  ///^  Father  that  dwelleth  in  me  ;  and  he  dwelleth  in  you  just  the  same  as  in 
me.  We  are  one  common  brotherhood,  children  of  one  common  Father,  and 
how  we  ought  to  love  one  another  !  Would  we  could  realize  how  we  are  spirit- 
ually connected.  This  magnetism  of  love  passing  from  one  to  another  is  an  in- 
fluence that  is  felt  by  susceptible  persons.  There  is  not  one  here  present  but 
feels  that  I  have  love  toward  him ;  there  is  not  one  but  feels  there  is  in  my  ex- 
pression sincerity.  And  I  know  that  we  are  ever  moulding  our  faces  in  expres- 
sion by  our  thoughts,  deeds  and  motives.  These  principles  cannot  be  doubted 
by  either  sage  or  philosopher. 

The  process  of  healing  by  touch  of  garment  I  will  try  to  explain.  I  will  say 
in  the  outset  that  I  never  receive  pay  for  healing  in  this  way,  as  it  might  be  a 
check  on  the  faith  ;  for  the  person,  and  his  or  her  faith  in  coming,  constitutes  the 
medium  through  which  I  cure.  I  sometimes  take  a  garment  and  say,  "  There 
is  nothing  the  matter  with  this  person  ;  that  is  sent  to  me  for  a  test ; "  or  "  That 
person  is  cured  from  this  hour;"  "This  one  was  born  lame  ;  I  can  do  nothing." 
And  then  I  take  another  garment  in  my  hands  and  say,  "  Do  you  know  this 
person  t  "  "  Yes."  "  He  will  be  instantly  healed."  I  must  feel  that  the  power 
of  God  is  with  me.  Where  there  is  good  hope  and  great  faith  I  say,  "  Your 
daughter  is  healed  from  this  time." 

I  feel  and  eliminate  a  shock,  just  as  real  and  as  powerful  as  that  produced  by 
a  galvanic  battery.  *  *  *  Any  person  that  is  sitting  here  may  be  a  medium 
through  which  the  higher  power  operates.  I  hold  that  the  purer  the  life  the 
better  the  healer  will  be.  For  instance,  I  believe  I  am  controlled  by  guardian 
and  controlling  spirits,  and  that  they  possess  the  power  to  heal  through  me. 
jVnd  just  as  I  live,  in  principle  and  truth,  by  just  such  powers  shall  I  be  con- 
trolled ;  the  better  life  I  live,  day  after  day,  the  better  the  angels  from  the  celes- 
tial spheres  can  come  and  operate  to  heal  the  sick.  And  if  we  live  a  debased  or 
low  life,  low  or  unprogressed  spirits  only  can  control  us.  You  cannot  get  pure 
water  from  a  dirty  fountain ;  to  get  clear  water  the  fountain  must  first  be  pure. 
By  throwing  the  will-force  determinedly  on  the  individual  through  the  third  per- 
son or  garment,  as  a  medium,  the  influence  is  thus  imparted  to  the  patient,- 
though  distant,  and  the  sick  one  is  healed. 

I  will  mention  an  instance.  A  child  of  Mrs.  Samuel  Hopper,  of  Columbus, 
Ohio,  said  to  have  water  on  the  brain,  apparently  unconscious  and  paralyzed ; 
had  lain  in  this  state  three  months  ;  had  to  be  fed  with  a  tea-spoon ;  had  no 
power  or  motion  with  its  limbs.  The  mother  brought  a  garment  of  the  child ; 
I  took  the  garment  and  said,  "  Go  home,  woman,  your  child  is  well."  She  went 
home  and  found  the  child  healed.  She  afterward  brought  this  child  to  my 
rooms,  well. 

There  are  persons  present  who  have  been  as  remarkably  cured,  whose  cases 
I  will  presently  make  known  to  you.     In  healing  there  must  be  faith  on  one  side 

8 


114  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

or  the  other.  A  healer  should  be  a  person  of  great  faith,  great  energy ;  sympa- 
thetic and  kind  ;  a  man  who  is  true  to  himself;  a  muscular  man,  with  a  fixed, 
positive  and  determined  will.  A  healer  possessing  a  good  share  of  these  quali- 
fications will  be  successful.     *    *    * 

Is  Mr.  Daniel  G.  Taylor  here  ?  I  will  state  his  case.  About  the  same  time, 
Dr.  Wilson,  an  eminent  physician  of  this  city,  was  called  to  his  house,  and  he 
told  Mrs.  Taylor  that  there  was  no  chance  for  her  husband  to  live  (he  had  had  a 
bad  cough  for  fifteen  years),  that  he  had  better  make  his  will.  I  went  to  see 
Mr.  Taylor,  and  told  his  wife  there  was  but  little  chance  for  him.  I  worked  on 
him  for  ten  minutes,  told  him  to  get  up  and  dress,  and  go  out,  *'  Your  disease  has 
left  you."  He  rose  to  his  feet,  dressed  himself,  and  walked  a  mile  ;  the  next 
day  he  walked  two  miles;  he  has  never  had  a  cough  since.  He  is  here 
present.     *    *    * 

A  lady  was  brought  fifty  miles  on  a  litter,  and  few  of  her  neighbors  or  friends 
thought  she  would  live  to  get  to  my  rooms  ;  but  the  patient,  full  of  faith,  was 
determined  to  see  Dr.  Newton.  Now,  as  I  have  before  said,  faith  must  be  on 
one  side  or  the  other.  I  gave  her  treatment,  and  in  five  minutes  she  was  per- 
fectly cured  and  on  her  feet.  This  lady  was  Mary  A.  Rumor,  Unionville,  Pa. ; 
she  had  been  bedridden  eleven  years. 

These  are  not  isolated  cases ;  their  name  is  legion.  I  have  been  instrumental 
in  curing  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  people.  I  say  this  not  in 
egotism,  but  to  prove  that  the  power  of  God  is  still  with  us  to  heal  the  sick  and 
suffering,  the  same  as  it  was  eighteen  hundred  years  ago.  Healing  power  is 
inherent  in  every  one  ;  and  if  you  feel  that  you  have  that  power,  and  that  the 
Spirit  of  God  is  in  you,  you  can  go  to  work  and  heal  the  sick  as  I  do.  Should  I 
go  on  to  tell  you  all  the  power  manifested  through  me,  you  would  call  me  a 
fanatic.  Now,  my  friends,  it  is  the  conditioit  that  is  required  to  heal — not  that 
the  power  has  been  lost.  I  am  frequently  asked  if  I  do  not  feel  a  loss  of  power 
or  magnetism,  or  become  weakened  by  healing  so  many;  on  the  contrary,  I  be- 
come strengthened  ;  it  is  like  the  magnet,  from  which  may  be  imparted  the  same 
properties  to  an  indefinite  number  of  pieces  of  iron,  and  yet  without  loss  to  the 
magnet;  its  power  is  increased  thereby.     The  more  we  give  the  more  we  receive. 

Now  I  will  speak  of  the  power  one  individual  has  over  another.  Each  one 
of  you  can  sit  down  and  think  of  a  friend  or  foe,  with  kind  thoughts  and  good 
will,  and  desire  to  do  them  good,  and  you  will  do  them  good  and  make  them 
happy,  or  by  thinking  ill  of  them,  make  them  unhappy.  Each  one  of  you  has  the 
power  to  throw  off  a  bad  magnetism  of  anger,  hatred  or  revenge.  Do  not  do 
this,  for  whatever  you  sow  that  shall  you  also  reap ;  for  these  influences  will  all 
come  back  to  you  again  with  twofold  bitterness.  You  may  make  persons  almost 
frantic  with  grief;  but  let  me  warn  you  not  to  do  it.  If  you  sow  to  the  flesh  you 
shall  reap  corruption  ;  but  sow  kindness,  love,  good  will  to  all  the  human  race  ; 
it  shall  be  health  and  happiness  to  those  that  give,  as  well  as  those  that  receive. 
I  would  not  dare  to  have  a  bad  thought  or  feel  evil-disposed  toward  any  one. 
We  should  believe  that  all  persons  do  about  the  best  they  know  how :  it  is  only 
their  spiritual  darkness  that  make  men  think  and  do  evil. 

If  there  is  any  one  here  that  wishes  to  be  a  healing  medium,  let  him  or  her  go 


IN    NEW    YORK    CITY    AGAIN.  II5 

to  the  sick  and  feel  a  good  faith,  with  a  strong,  positive  will-force  ,  feel  that  all 
are  your  brothers,  sisters  and  children,  and  they  will  be  healed  by  the  touch  ; 
when  conditions  are  right  they  will  be  cured.  This  is  the  power  that  Jesus 
taught ;  all  is  subject  to  your  will,  all  is  yours.  I  can  heal  any  one  in  this  room 
just  as  well  without  touching  as  with  (if  it  is  not  an  organic  disease).  Sometimes 
I  must  come  in  contact  with  the  patient,  and  at  others  it  can  be  done  by  will 
alone. 

If  a  person  comes  and  says  it  will  take  nine  operations  for  you  to  cure  me,  it 
will  take  nine  ;  but  if  they  say,  "  I  will  be  cured  by  the  touch  of  the  hem  of  your 
garment,"  it  will  be  so.  I  have  felt  the  influence  pass  from  me  by  a  simple 
touch,  while  the  person  was  cured.     *    *    * 

If,  after  working  on  a  sick  person,  I  should  say,  "  Don't  you  feel  a  little  bet- 
ter ?  "  in  a  mild  and  negative  way,  why,  I  should  never  cure  any  one ;  for  asking 
such  a  question  would  imply  a  negative  condition.  I  produce  this  shock,  and 
say,  "  Get  up  ;  arise  on  your  feet,"  in  a  loud  determined  manner,  which  is  some- 
times startling. 

I  cured  Mrs.  Campbell,  in  New  Haven,  Ct.  She  had  not  been  able  to  walk 
for  thirty-two  years.  After  working  for  a  few  minutes,  I  told  her  to  arise  and 
stand  upon  her  feet.  She  said,  **  I  cannot."  I  said,  "  How  dare  you  say  that  ? 
Get  up ;  "  and  in  a  few  minutes  she  walked  freely,  alone — a  well  woman.  She 
said  she  thought  me  the  ugliest  man  she  ever  saw  ;  but  she  afterward  apologized 
for  it  with  grateful  thanks.  It  was  my  positive  force  that  controlled  her  and  her 
disease. 

I  will  mention  one  other  case,  and  it  is  that  of  a  lady  in  Rochester,  who  had 
not  spoken,  even  in  a  whisper,  for  twenty-seven  years.  She  could  hear  as  well 
as  any  one.  I  said,  "  I  can  cure  you ;  but  you  must  not  expect  to  be  cured 
instantly,  but  in  a  few  minutes  ;  speak  first  in  a  whisper."  Her  name  was  Park- 
hurst.  Said  I,  "  Whisper  '  Mary  Parkhurst'  "  She  did  so.  I  said,  "  That  is 
right.  Now  speak  it  louder."  She  said,  "  Mary  Parkhurst,"  in  a  full,  loud  tone 
of  voice.  She  afterward  (the  same  day)  talked  as  loud  and  freely  as  any  one. 
She  said,  "  Thank  God,  I  can  now  talk  with  my  children,  who  have  never  heard 
my  voice." 

Now  I  ask  any  in  the  room  that  are  .in  pain  to  rise — only  those  who  are  in 
acute  pain. 

[About  twenty  rose,  and  the  Doctor  threw  his  arms  forcibly  forward,  and 
said,  "  Now  your  pain  is  gone."  He  then  requested  those  whose  pains  were 
cured  to  sit  down,  and  they  all  sat  down.] 

This  is  all  very  simple — it  is  not  a  miracle.  If  a  leg  were  to  grow  where  one 
had  been  cut  off  it  would  be  a  miracle ;  but  we  have  no  record  that  it  was  ever 
done.  I  have  circulars  here,  and  I  want  you  all  to  be  missionaries  to  bring  the 
blind  and  lame  and  the  sick  to  be  healed.  I  take  no  money,  except  from  the 
rich.  The  poor — God  bless  them — it  is  their  right  to  be  healed  **  without  money 
and  without  price." 

[A  gentleman  in  the  room  said  he  felt  the  influence  of  the  Doctor's  magnet- 
ism, and  that  there  was  a  lady  present  who  was  sick.      Will  the  Doctor  pass  his 


Il6  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

influence  ?  The  Doctor  did  so  and  she  was  healed.  *  *  *  A  child  was 
brought  up  that  had  not  stepped  for  six  months  without  its  crutches.  The 
Doctor  took  the  crutches  away,  and  bade  the  child  to  walk,  and  he  stepped  off 
without  them.  The  Doctor  said  there  was  organic  disease  of  the  hip  and  dis- 
location, which  prevented  a  cure,  and  illustrated  by  saying,  "  If  a  man's  eye  is 
out  I  cannot  give  him  a  new  one."  He  then  descended  from  the  platform,  and 
about  one-half  of  the  audience  came  forward  to  receive  the  benefit  of  the  process 
of  healing  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  during  which  one  lady  touched  lightly  the 
skirt  of  his  coat,  when  he  said,  *'  That  is  right.  I  feel  the  influence  pass  from 
me.  Be  healed^  And  so  he  continued  for  a  long  time,  passing  from  one  to 
another  with  rapid  touch,  saying,  "  Be  healed."  During  this  time  one  gentle- 
man came  to  the  rep  Drter  and  stated  that  his  vision  was  entirely  cleared  from 
the  false  images  presented  for  two  years  previous.  But  the  confusion  was  so 
great  that  individual  cases  could  not  be  noted,  though  one  old  gentleman  oper- 
ated on  stated  in  the  evening  that  after  having  hobbled  with  a  cane  for  a  year, 
he  was  now  able  to  step  off  briskly,  and  jumped  from  the  platform,  about  two 
and  a  half  feet  high,  and  then  up  again.     And  the  Doctor  resumed.] 

When  I  was  in  Auburn,  in  this  State,  a  person  was  brought  to  me  on  a  bed,  and 
some  asked  questions,  and  said  it  was  too  bad  to  bring  that  poor  dying  woman 
there  ;  but  still  I  gathered  up  my  strength  and  faith,  and  went  to  the  woman  and 
said,  "  Disease,  depart.  Arise  and  walk."  She  arose  on  her  feet  perfectly 
cured.  I  said,  "  Go  out  and  eat  a  good  beef  steak,"  and  she  did  so.  She  had 
been  bedridden  for  three  years,  and  had  eaten  nothing  but  gruel  from  a  teaspoon 
for  six  months.  This  was  late  in  the  fall,  and  in  the  spring  I  heard  that  she  had 
passed  a  comfortable  winter,  was  able  to  be  about  her  house,  and  had  gained 
largely  in  flesh.  These  things  are  wonderful,  and  sometimes  I  am  struck  with 
astonishment  at  the  results,  the  same  as  others  are.  I  could  give  you  thousands 
of  examples,  but  I  give  you  just  what  happens  to  come  to  my  mind. 

Dr.  Stone,  at  Portland,  Me.  (an  eminent  physician  residing  in  Westbrook), 
wanted  evidence  that  I  did  heal  the  sick  that  were  considered  incurable  ;  so  he 
brought  a  young  man  that  was  born  decrepit,  with  his  feet  turned  in  so  that  his 
toes  almost  pointed  toward  each  other,  and  his  hands  and  his  mind  seemed  in 
keeping  with  his  feet  and  legs.  Dr.  Stone  had  known  him  from  his  birth.  I  said, 
"  Come  here,"  and  I  put  my  arm  around  him  and  then  said,  "  Bend  your  knees 
so,"  (bending  mine  at  the  same  time).  "Now  turn  your  toes  out."  And  then 
his  feet  and  hands  came  out,  and  he  walked  off  as  well  and  straight  as  anybody. 
(A  great  deal  of  this  power  is  in  the  words,  with  the  positive  will  that  I  exercise. 
I  have  recently  practised  in  Havana,  and  I  find  that  I  have  better  success  where 
the  language  is  understood.)  I  took  the  lad  into  the  other  room,  where  I  had 
patients  waiting,  and  asked  him  to  show  the  people  how  he  had  been,  but  I 
found  he  could  not  get  his  feet  into  the  position  that  they  were  in  when  he  came 
to  me,  and  I  often  afterwards  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him,  after  being  cured 
— a  young  man  as  straight  and  as  handsome  in  address  as  anyone. 

The  religion  that  Jesus  taught  was  good  and  glorious,  and  professing  Chris- 
tians are  doing  good,  and  could  do  a  great  deal  more,  if  they  would  only  practice 
what  they  profess^"  clothe  the  naked,"  •*  feed  the  hungry,"  "  for  inasmuch  as  ye 


IN    NEW    YORK    CITY    AGAIN.  II/ 

do  it  unto  the  least  of  these  ye  do  it  unto  me."  Let  us  struggle  to  do  good,  and 
when  we  cross  the  River  of  Life  we  shall  not  be  asked  what  we  believe,  but  what 
have  we  done.  If  we  can  show  good  works,  then  the  angels  will  say,  "  Come, 
ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  world."  I  believe  in  the  ministration  of  angels,  and  that  they  are 
ever  present  to  help  us,  and  that  not  only  our  works  but  our  thoughts  are  known 
to  them.  This  belief  will  make  men  lead  better  lives ;  and  there  is  a  time 
coming  when  there  will  be  a  power,  a  controlling  will-force,  to  compel  man- 
kind to  lead  better  lives,  through  mediums,  and  the  Millennium,  that  I  believe 
is  coming,  will  be  m  this  way 

Angels,  or  spirits,  control  us  all,  more  or  less.  Live  right  ourselves,  and 
then  the  bright  angels  can  control  in  love  to  good  works  and  faith,  which  are 
the  controlling  principles  of  all  healing,  either  of  body  or  mind.  Then  let  us  go 
forward  from  this  hour,  and  improve  not  only  ourselves,  but  our  neighbor,  and 
the  best  way  to  improve  our  neighbor  is  to  reform  ourselves. 

I  have  gone  through  many  persecutions  in  this  cause,  and  I  live  to  thank  God 
for  all  the  afflictions  I  have  ever  had.  We  must  expect  persecution  in  this  age, 
though  we  take  the  whole  weight  of  the  cross  upon  our  backs.  There  will  arise 
true  men  and  true  women,  who  will  give  their  houses  and  their  lands  for  the 
Christ  principle,  and  so  reform  and  redeem  the  world. 

I  now  thank  you  for  your  kindness  and  attention.  Go  forth  with  this  love 
that  I  impart  to  you,  and  it  is  for  you  to  impart  it  to  others.  It  is  the  true  wis- 
dom from  on  high  ;  it  is  the  "  pearl  of  great  price,"  and  is  eternal. 

A  report  of  the  same  occasion  given  in  the  New  York  Tribune 
furnishes  the  following  corroborative  statements  : — 

"  He  asked  those  in  the  audience  who  were  suffering  with  pain  to  stand  up. 
Some  10  or  15  persons  rose  to  their  feet.  He  imparted  to  each  what  he  calls  a 
shock,  and  declared  them  all  healed.  Some  of  them  afterward  said  that  they 
were  suffering  with  severe  headache,  and  that  it  left  them.  He  then  invited  all 
who  were  afflicted  with  disease  of  any  kind  to  come  forward  and  he  would  heal 
them.  Some  100  or  more  persons  came  forward,  and  as  they  passed  by  him 
he  put  his  hand  on  them  and  imparted  the  shock  and  declared  them  healed. 
One  elderly  woman  sitting  behind  him,  while  he  was  busy,  touched  his  garment. 
He  instantly  turned  and  said,  "All  right.  Madam,  your  faith  has  healed  you." 
To  that  part  of  the  system  which  he  said  was  deranged  he  applied  his  hand. 
One  elderly  gentleman,  who  was  and  had  been  quite  lame  for  a  long  time,  came 
forward  at  the  evening  service  and  declared  that  he  was  healed,  and  showed  by 
his  walking  that  he  was  no  longer  lame.  Many  others  said  they  were  cured  or 
very  much  benefited.  Others  said  they  would  soon  make  the  result  known  to 
the  Society.  The  scene  was  quite  exciting.  *  *  *  Dr.  Newton  stated  many 
remarkable  cures  of  persons  whom  he  claimed  to  have  healed  in  different  sec- 
tions of  the  country.  Several  are  well-known  citizens  of  New  York.  Some  per- 
sons who  said  they  had  thus  been  healed  by  him  rose  up  and  confirmed  his  state- 
ments." 


II  8  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

The  following  statement  by  a  merchant  of  New  York  City,  resi- 
dent in  Brooklyn,  appeared  in  the  Religio-Philosophical  yotimal,  of 
Chicago,  June  21,  1879  : — 

\  Among  the  many  gifted  mediums  for  healing  that  have  been  developed  in  the 
last  quarter  of  the  century,  none  stands  out  more  proudly  pre-eminent  than  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  throughout  our  land  can  testify  to  the 
good  Spiritualism  has  done  for  them  through  his  divine  mediumship.  On  a 
Sunday  afternoon  in  New  York  City,  in  a  public  hall,  several  years  ago,  hundreds 
of  people  were  gathered  together,  among  whom  were  some  on  crutches,  some 
deaf,  and  some  blind.  I  had  seen  a  notice  of  this  meeting  in  one  of  the  daily 
papers,  and  went  to  this  hall  to  see  if  what  Dr.  N.  had  advertised  to  do  would 
be  accomplished.  It  was  a  motley  crowd,  and  when  the  Doctor  said,  "All  who 
desire  to  be  helped  should  stand  up,"  two-thirds  of  all  there  were  present  arose 
After  a  short  exhortation,  he  said,  "  In  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth  I  com- 
mand disease  to  depart  from  you."  Immediately  crutches  dropped,  eyes  that 
could  not  see  were  opened,  ears  were  made  to  hear,  and  a  multitude  testified  to 
the  healing  powers  of  the  medium.  Beside  me  sat  a  lady  with  her  husband ; 
they  were  Germans;  and,  as  the  words  fell  from  the  Doctor's  lips,  the  tears  rolled 
down  her  cheeks,  and  turning  to  her  husband,  she  told  him  she  could  hear.  He 
said  she  had  been  deaf  for  many  years,  and  her  countenance  was  illumined  with 
joy,  as  now  she  could  hear  distinctly.  They  were  made  glad  by  the  power  thus 
manifested.  She  was  at  least  a  dozen  feet  from  the  medium.  What  the  power 
was  the  skeptic  must  explain ;  or  was  it  as  in  the  olden  time,  when  the  Master 
said,  "  Thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole  ? "  It  made  a  profound  impression  upon 
me,  and  I  know  that  many  others  were  convinced  that  day,  who  had  scoffed 
before,  that  some  good  could  come  out  of  Nazareth. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  S.  B.  NICHOLS.    ^ 

In  the  New  York  Dispatch  of  Sept.  2,  1866,  appeared  an  ex- 
tended editorial  account  of  the  wonders  performed  by  Dr.  Newton, 
presented  in  the  sensational  style  common  to  the  daily  press,  but 
embodying  facts  of  which  the  writer  was  a  personal  witness.  Some 
extracts  from  this  are  transferred  to  these  pages  as  a  part  of  the 
history  of  those  times : 

Modern  Miracles  ! — Wonders  in  the  Healing  Art. — The  New  Bethesda. —  The  Halt^ 
Lame,  and  Blind  Cured. — Hoiu  the  Cnres  are  Performed. —  The  Hygienic  Mys- 
tery.— Personal  Sketch  of  Dr.  Newton,  the  Healer. — A  Wonderful  Man. 

Many  readers  of  the  Dispatch  have,  no  doubt,  heard  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton, 
who  calls  himself  a  practical  physician,  for  the  treatment  of  chronic  diseases. 
We  had  heard  that  under  his  marvellous  touch  the  physically  helpless  suddenly 
resumed  their  former  vigor,  and  arose  up  and  walked.  Rheumatic  pains  and 
contractions,  or  the  sharp  pangs  of  sciatica  mysteriously  disappeared.  We  heard 
that  tumors  that  had  been  growing  for  years  were  made  to  vanish  as  if  by  magic ; 


IN    NEW   YORK    CITY    AGAIN.  I IQ 

In  short,  that  whatever  ailment  seemed  most  chronic  was  the  first  to  yield  to  the 
power  and  influence  of  this  wonderful  man,  after  having  resisted  the  assaults  of 
the  Materia  Medica. 

*'  To  see  with  our  own  eyes,  and  not  with  the  eyes  of  another,"  to  prove  all 
things,  and  hold  fast  to  that  which  is  true,  was  the  purpose  for  which  we  visited 
the  Doctor  at  his  residence,  No.  6  St.  Mark's  Place,  near  the  Third  avenue,  in 
this  city.  The  Doctor  occupies  an  elegant  mansion,  which  may  not  inappropri- 
ately be  designated 

A   NEW   BETHESDA. 

The  first  floor  of  the  building  is  used  as  a  reception  and  waiting-room  for 
patients,  and  during  all  the  hours  of  the  day  it  is  filled — generally  to  overflowing 
— with  the  halt,  the  lame,  the  maimed,  and  the  blind,  who  are  awaiting  their 
"turn"  to  see  the  physician  whose  fame  has  filled  them  with  "great  expecta- 
tions " — men  and  women  who  had  come,  as  went  the  Spanish  adventurers,  on 
their  long  journeys  after  the  waters  of  the  fountains  of  perpetual  youth.  They 
enter  with  crutches  and  spectacles,  and  supported  by  friends  on  either  side,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  they  leave  without  their  crutches  and  caneS,  and  walk  gayly 
away.  All  these  wonderful  effects  are  produced  without  pain ;  no  medicine  is 
used,  or  surgical  operations  performed,  and  the  painless  manipulations  of  the 
Doctor  seldom  last  for  more  than  five  or  ten  minutes. 

This  reception-room,  beside  the  ordinary  furniture,  contains  a  cart-load  or 
two  of  crutches  and  canes,  which  have  been  presented  to  the  Doctor  by  patients 
who  had  no  further  use  for  them.  In  this  room  the  visitors  are  received  by  Mr. 
Hill,  the  Doctor's  private  secretary,  whose  urbane  and  gentlemanly  manner  sets 
visitors  at  their  ease. 
*  *********  * 

The  Doctor's  operating  room  is  on  the  second  floor,  and  there  patients  are 
introduced  in  the  order  in  which  they  have  presented  themselves  to  the  secretary. 
"When  in  the  presence  of  the  Doctor,  all,  rich  an.d  poor,  high  or  low,  are  treated 
alike.  The  Doctor  makes  no  distinction  and  asks  no  questions.  As  we  have 
stated,  the  Materia  Medica  is  not  at  all  consulted  by  the  operator,  who  relies 
solely  upon  the  self-healing  energies  which  he  possesses  ;  and  were  his  achieve- 
ments within  the  pale  of  the  scientific  world,  people  would  hardly  find  words  to 
express  their  astonishment  and  admiration.  But  they  are  at  variance  with  con- 
ventional rules  and  long-established  usages,  and  for  this  and  no  other  reason 
people  refuse  to  give  credence  to  well-authenticated  cases,  and  satisfy  themselves 
by  denouncing  the  whole  thing  as  humbug.  People  naturally  inquire,  and  will 
insist  upon  an  answer, 

HOW  DOES    HE   DO   THESE  THINGS.' 

We  do  not  know,  and  have  not  yet  found  any  one  that  could  answer.  Some 
say  it  is  spirits,  others  call  it  animal  magnetism,  but  none  are  able  to  give 
an  explanation  that  accords  with  the  accepted  rules  of  natural  science. 

The  Doctor,  without  giving  any  satisfactory  explanation,  declares  it  to  be  in 
accordance  with  natural  laws,  and  expresses  the  belief  that  he  is  in  some  way 


120  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

charged  with  an  excess  of  vitality,  which  he  can  impart  to  those  who  are  deficient, 
and  so  enable  them  to  throw  off  disease.  This  power  is  not  a  new  thing,  but  has 
been  recognized  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  by  men  of  the  highest  scientific  attain- 
ments. But  never  has  it  been  possessed  by  any  to  the  degree  that  Dr.  Newton 
possesses  it.  The  Doctor  does  not  pretend  to  work  miracles,  but  simply  to  pro- 
duce certain  results  by  natural,  though  not  yet  sufficiently  defined  laws. 

He  does  not  always  succeed,  and  often  meets  with  failure  where  he  was  most 
sanguine  of  success,  of  which,  however,  we  have  only  heard  from  himself. 
»  *  *  ******** 

If  what  this  man  claims,  and  which  our  own  and  the  experience  of  others 
must  abundantly  attest,  is  true,  then  Doctor  Newton  is  the  most  wonderful  of 
men,  endowed  with  such  gifts  as  are  rarely  accorded  to  humanity,  and  his  oper- 
ations are  as  beneficent  as  they  are  marvellous.  The  Doctor's  benefactions  are 
within  the  reach  of  thousands  of  the  sick  and  suffering.  To  those  who  cannot 
pay,  it  is  offered  "  without  money  and  without  price."  It  is  offered  with  a  cor- 
dial generosity  that  precludes  the  idea  of  speculative  humbuggery,  and  we  can 
see  no  good  reason  why  those  who  need  such  help  should  not  seek  it.  They 
cannot  lose  even  by  failure,  and  how  abundantly  are  they  rewarded  for  all  trouble 
and  outlay  if  they  are  relieved  from  the  pains  and  vexations  to  which  the  flesh  is 
liable. 

When  we  visited  the  Doctor,  it  was  with  the  determination  to  test,  as  far  as 
possible,  his  claims  to  the  remarkable  achievements  of  which  we  had  heard.  To 
do  this  every  facility  and  convenience  was  afforded,  we  were  permitted  to  pass 
days  in  his  operating  room,  to  witness  more  than  a  hundred  cases,  question  the 
patients,  and  in  no  case  did  we  meet  with  a  person  who  failed  to  be  benefited. 
The  relief  from  long  continued  suffering,  the  racking  agony  of  neuralgia,  and 
the  torture  of  sciatica,  was  so  instantaneous,  that  the  astounded  patients  found 
it  impossible  to  realize  that  they  were  cured.  The  victim  of  protracted  agony 
caused  by  a  contracted  limb,  upon  being  told  to  place  it  on  the  floor,  would  hesi- 
tate, deeming  it,  as  it  had  long  been,  a  physical  impossibility.  But  the  Doctor 
with  well  feigned  violence  would  insist,  and  the  limb  would  tread  the  solid 
ground,  and  afterward  walk  briskly  into  the  street,  forsaking  crutch  or  cane. 
They  would  come  into  the  room  mute,  and  leave  with  most  garrulous  expressions 
of  gratitude. 

Women  would  come  with  palpitation  of  the  heart,  liver  complaint,  dropsy, 
and  other  diseases  that  left  them  mere  wrecks  of  humanity.  A  kind  word  or 
two,  a  few  simple  passes  of  the  hand  by  the  operator,  and  they  were  restored  to 
health  and  vigor.  "You  were  afflicted,"  the  Doctor  would  say  to  them,  "in  a 
way  you  did  not  tell  me,  but  you  are  cured.  You  will  have  no  more  trouble  of 
that  sort,"  and  the  patient  would  admit  the  truth,  having  been  cured  of  an  ail- 
ment of  which  womanly  delicacy  would  forbid  a  mention,  even  to  a  physician. 

All  that  we  have  recorded,  and  much,  very  much  more,  we  witnessed,  and 
heard  confirmed  in  the  most  emphatic  and  grateful  terms.  The  parties  benefited 
were  not  only  willing  but  anxious  to  bear  testimony  to  the  good  that  had  been  done 
them.  With  their  consent  and  approval  we  append  the  names  and  address  of  a 
few,  who  will  be  glad  to  verify,  under  oath,  if  need  be,  to  the  wonderful  results 


IN  NEW    YORK    CITY    AGAIN.  121 

which  they  experienced.  Merely  adding  that  we  took  the  trouble  to  see  many 
of  the  persons  named  subsequent  to  placing  themselves  in  the  Doctor's  hands, 
and  learned  that  the  effects  stated  were  not  changed  with  the  lapse  of  time. 

SOME  WONDERFUL   CURES 

Mrs.  Cornelia  Appleby,  No.  262  Railroad  avenue,  Jersey  city,  dropsy  of 
the  knee  joint,  had  been  unable  to  bend  her  knee  joint  for  twenty  years,  per- 
fectly cured  in  one  treatment,  occupying  about  five  minutes. 

Clark  J.  Wait,  residence  Manchester,  Vt.,  afflicted  with  a  bone  ulcer  on 
the  breast,  entirely  cured. 

Wm.  D.  Sperry,  No.  16  Maiden  Lane,  instantly  of  chronic  and  inflammatory 
rheumatism. 

Chas.  S.  Mills,  No.  313  Degraw  street,  Brooklyn,  cured  of  deafness. 

Mrs.  Mary  F.  Kelley,  No.  3  Washington  street,  Brooklyn,  for  twenty  years 
afflicted  with  chronic  headache  and  great  nervousness.     Cured  in  one  treatment. 

Child  six  years  of  age,  son  of  Geo.  F.  Vanhouten,  Fulton  avenue  near 
Troy,  Brooklyn,  lame,  contracted  limbs.     Cured  instantly. 

P.  C.  Fisher,  Esq.,  No.  244  Front  street,  New  York,  weak  lungs  and  cough 
for  ten  years.     Cured. 

Mrs.  Cordelia  Contour,  residing  at  Greenpoint ;  had  dropsy  on  the  chest, 
and  was  laid  up  for  eleven  months.  Cured  with  one  treatment.  Had  been  given 
up  by  six  physicians.  Had  fifteen  quarts  of  water  pass  from  her  ;  had  suffered 
the  most  excruciating  pain. 

Israel  Stone,  Esq.,  No.  no  West  Thirteenth  street,  New  York  ;  cured  of 
heart  disease.  His  wife  was  also  cured,  after  suffering  for  ten  years  of  neural- 
gia and  female  weakness. 

Mrs.  Silvia  Livingston,  No.  75  North  Seventh  street,  Williamsburgh,  in- 
stantly cured  of  stiff  hand  and  fingers. 

Hon.  Richard  B.  Connelly,  No.  55  East  Thirty-eight  street.  New  York, 
afflicted  with  weak  and  inflamed  eyes  and  partial  blindness  ;  had  to  be  confined 
in  a  dark  room.     Entirely  cured  in  twenty  minutes. 

Margaret  B.  Williams,  No.  104  East  Fifteenth  street,  New  York ;  spine 
disease.     Cured  in  one  treatment. 

Samuel  Jolly,  No.  61  Fourth  street,  Williamsburg,  N.  Y.,  child  cured  in- 
stantly of  fever  and  ague. 

Zeno  Norton,  No.  175  South  Second  street,  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  enlarged 
spleen  and  neuralgia  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Louis  Herwitz,  No.  181  Greenwich  street,  New  York,  liver  complaint, 
dyspepsia,  and  confusion  of  mind  almost  to  insanity,  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Ralph  S.  Ellis,  Stockton,  Me.,  congestive  chills  cured  instantly ;  was  so  low 
as  not  expected  to  live.     His  wife  was  also  cured  of  dropsy  from  childhood. 

Mrs.  C.  Vanhouten,  No.  106  West  Twenty-eight  street.  New  York,  neu- 
ralgia, catarrh,  and  female  weakness  cured. 

Edv^ard  Lyons,  No.  41  Greenwich  avenue,  New  York,  chronic  sore  throat 
and  fever  and  ague  cured. 


122  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Michael  Conway,  Manhattanville,  N.  Y.,  rheumatism ;  unable  to  walk  for 
three  years  ;  brought  by  four  men  ;  could  not  raise  his  hand ;  perfectly  cured. 

Miss  Reliance  Richmond,  Bridgevvater,  Mass.,  spine  disease,  female  weak- 
ness, and  paralysis  two  years  and  four  months.  She  was  given  over,  and  was  so 
low  for  ten  weeks  that  it  was  thought  it  would  be  impossible  to  get  her  here 
alive.  She  was  brought  on  a  bed.  In  ten  minutes  she  rose  upon  her  feet  cured, 
dressed  and  walked  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 

James  N.  Fifield,  Newark,  N.  J.,  dyspepsia  and  chronic  diarrhoea  cured. 

Capt.  John  Bunson,  No.  245^  State  street,  Brooklyn,  disease  of  brain,  de- 
mentia, cured. 

James  McKanna,  No.  95  West  Forty-first  street.  New  York,  cured  of  almost 
total  blindness. 

Mr.  LoTT  Simmonson,  No.  627  Broadway,  New  York,  weak  eyes  and  blind- 
ness five  years ;  had  to  keep  in  a  dark  room ;  perfectly  cured  with  five  minutes' 
treatment. 

Mrs.  Y.  Connor,  Morrisania,  New  York,  heart  disease  cured. 

Mrs.  Dr.  Avery,  Bergen,  N.  J.,  female  weakness  ;  was  so  low  wl  e  1  brought 
that  she  could  not  stand  or  even  sit  up  ;  with  ten  minutes'  treatment  she  rose 
and  walked  well  and  was  cured. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Henry  Smeaton,  Bergen,  N.  J.,  hearing  of  the  above  cure,  she 
was  induced  to  be  brought  for  treatment ;  paralyzed,  unable  to  walk  for  seven- 
teen months  ;  perfectly  cured  in  ten  minutes. 

John  A.  Taylor,  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.,  disease  of  the  heart  cured. 

Lucy  Hartwell,  Bushwick,  L.  I.,  was  led  to  rooms,  totally  blind,  on  the 
i6th  of  July ;  was  restored  to  see  to  read  with  fifteen  minutes'  treatment. 

Charles  Riley,  No.  82  East  Seventh  street.  New  York,  almost  total  blind- 
ness cured. 

From  the  National  Union,  of  Saugerties  : — 

MIRACULOUS  CURE. 

John  McCall,  of  Saugerties,  a  few  days  ago,  was  here  a  poor  cripple.  Sickness, 
long  protracted,  had  deprived  him  of  the  use  of  his  legs,  and  he  had  been  for 
fourteen  months  moving  about  with  pain  and  on  crutches.  Early  this  week  he 
went  down  to  see  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  at  New  York  City,  having  been  directed 
there  by  Dr.  Max  Clohs,  of  this  city.  Dr.  Newton  learned  from  his  lips  that  he 
was  destitute  of  money,  but  he  pitied  him  because  of  his  infirmities,  at  once  put 
himself  en  rapport  with  his  condition,  and  by  mesmeric  manipulations,  by  prayer, 
and  by  the  application  of  spiritual  agencies  (such  as  Elijah  employed  in  bringing 
the  dead  son  of  the  poor,  bereaved  widow  to  life),  in  the  course  of  a  few  minutes 
removed  the  lameness  from  his  limbs,  and  bade  the  afflicted  man  rise  and  walk. 
Strange,  but  true,  to  say,  the  cripple  did  rise  and  walk  as  was  his  wont  before  his 
illness,  and  to-day  he  can  be  seen  at  the  hotel  of  Wm.  Cleary  moving  around  as 
other  men,  without  lameness,  and  even  being  able,  should  he  so  will,  to  run,  jump 
and  dance. 


IN    NEW    YORK    CITY    AGAIN.  I23 

Dr.  Newton  is  a  most  wonderful  man.  His  cures  are  miracles  indeed.  We 
have  personal  knowledge  of  another  case  of  similar  cure  that  he  has  effected  by 
mesmeric  and  spiritualistic  means.  He  gives  all  who  come  to  him  the  benefit 
of  his  power  and  gift.  Mr.  McCall  had  no  money.  The  Doctor  removed  his 
lameness  gratuitously,"  and  gave  him  means  to  pay  his  passage  to  Newburgh. 
The  touch  of  divinity  made  upon  humanity  in  Old  Testament  times,  has  not  yet 
been  effaced. 

From  other  papers  (names  lost)  . 

Cancer. — Mrs.  P.  Listnor,  of  No.  55  Elizabeth  street,  has  just  been  cured  of 
a  very  bad  case  of  cancer  in  the  mouth  by  Dr.  Newton,  by  two  operations.  Her 
affliction  had  lasted  four  years,  and  her  mouth  and  throat  had  become  one  mass 
of  corruption. 

Tape  Worm. — Hugh  Edwards  Kelley,  of  No.  52  Van  Brunt  street,  Brook- 
lyn, had  a  tape  worm  taken  from  him,  of  22  feet  in  length,  after  one  operation. 
Dr.  Newton  predicted  the  very  day  and  hour  it  would  pass  him. 

DEPARTURE  FROM  THIS  CITY  OF  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  who,  for  the  past  six  months  has  been  practising  his 
peculiar  and  wonderfully  efficient  system  of  healing  at  No.  6  St.  Mark's  Place  in 
this  city,  where  he  has  treated  upward  of  forty  thousand  cases,  has  made  arrange- 
ments to  close  his  business  here  on  the  31st  inst.  There  are  thousands  of  persons 
whose  physical  sufferings  and  infirmities  have  been  relieved  at  his  hands.  He 
has  made  the  diseased  sound,  healed  the  sick  and  restored  the  blind  to  sight. 
And  in  no  case  has  he  ever  refused  to  put  forth  his  best  efforts,  and  exercise  his 
wonderful  powers  in  behalf  of  the  poorest.  His  visit  to  our  city  has  not,  we 
believe,  made  him  rich  in  worldly  possessions,  for  with  him  the  acquisition  of 
money  has  been  quite  a  secondary  consideration  to  the  desire  to  do  good,  and  if 
he  leaves  us  with  a  light  exchequer,  he  will  carry  with  him  the  affectionate  remem- 
brance of  grateful  hearts,  and  the  best  wishes  for  his  success  and  happiness 
wherever  he  may  go. 

The  following  testimonies  from  individuals  appeared  in  the 
papers  named  : — 

From  Charles  Partridge,  in  the  New  York  Tribune: — 

HEALING  BY  MAGNETISM. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  New  York  Tribune  : 

Sir, — For  the  cause  of  truth  and  the  benefit  of  suffering  humanity,  I  feel  it  is 
my  duty  to  state  my  own  experience  of  the  benefits  of  Dr.  Newton's  healing 
power.     A  year  ago  last  May,  in  turning  quick,  I  ruptured  (as  the  doctors  said) 


124  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

a  muscle  in  the  calf  of  my  leg,  which  caused  it  to  turn  more  or  less  black  from 
my  knee  to  the  sole  of  my  foot,  and  to  pain  me  to  my  hip.  After  some  days,  I 
began  to  walk  with  two  crutches,  holding  up  the  foot,  and  so  continued  to  do, 
avoiding  much  exercise,  because  it  pained  me  and  caused  my  limb  to  swell. 
Many  of  our  best  physicians  and  surgeons  examined  and  prescribed  for  me,  with- 
out my  receiving  any  benefit,  all  agreeing  that  it  was  the  rupture  of  a  muscle  ;  and 
finally  all  became  of  the  opinion  that  the  length  of  time  precluded  the  hope  of  a 
cure.  After  a  year's  suffering,  I  called,  in  May  last,  on  Dr.  Newton  on  business,  not 
intending  to  ask  for  his  treatment,  having  no  faith  that  he  could  heal  a  ruptured 
muscle.  He,  however,  perceived  intuitively  my  trouble  (for  as  I  sat  there  were  no 
outward  signs  of  it),  and  said  he  must  first  heal  me,  and  immediately  commenced 
manipulating  my  limb ;  and  in  the  course  of  two  minutes,  pronounced  it  cured, 
and  bade  me  get  up  and  walk,  and  I  did  so  without  crutches,  and  have  not  used 
them  since.  The  pain  and  soreness  left  me,  but  my  limb  continued  to  swell  by 
much  use.  I  have  had  three  treatments  since,  and  I  now  call  myself  entirely 
cured,  and  walk  about  as  well  as  ever. 

Another  case.  My  brother,  Josiah  Partridge,  living  in  Brooklyn,  has  a  daugh- 
ter who  has  been  troubled  for  four  years  past  with  Saint  Vitus'  dance  or  chorea. 
She  suffered  with  a  constant  contraction  of  her  limbs,  and  twitching  of  the  muscles 
of  her  face,  interfering  with  her  speech.  Many  physicians  tried  to  help  her,  but 
failed ;  and,  being  encouraged  by  the  wonderful  cure  of  myself,  Josiah  took  his 
child  to  Dr.  Newton.  He  passed  his  hand  over  her  face,  head,  and  spine,  bid- 
ding disease  to  depart,  and  pronounced  her  cured ;  and  she  has  been  well  from 
that  moment. 

Another  case.  Dr.  Forbush,  from  Wisconsin,  stated  to  me  that  he  had  been 
troubled  with  a  scrofulous  sore  in  his  groin,  which  discharged  something  like  a 
pint  a  day.  He  came  here  considering  his  life  at  stake,  to  consult  surgeons  and 
be  operated  on  if  deemed  advisable.  On  his  way  here,  he  conversed  with  a  fel- 
low-passenger who  urged  him  to  apply  to  Dr.  Newton.  He  faithfully  consented, 
and  did  so  on  the  following  Saturday,  and  was  treated  by  Dr.  Newton,  who  pro- 
nounced him  cured.  Dr.  Forbush  came  to  me  a  stranger,  and  told  me  that  the 
next  day,  instead  of  discharging  as  it  had  done  a  pint  a  day,  that  the  discharge 
was  very  trifling — a  spoonful  or  so — and  that  previously  he  could  not  walk  a 
block,  and  now  he  had  walked  more  than  a  mile  to  see  me  ;  and  that  it  did  not 
pain  him,  neither  was  he  tired.     I  understand  that  he  left  in  a  few  days  cured. 

I  know  of  my  own  knowledge  many  remarkable  cases  of  healing  of  diseases 
by  Dr.  Newton,  simply  by  passing  his  hands  over  the  diseased  parts.  I  have 
been  to  his  house  and  witnessed  his  treatment  and  his  success,  and  have  talked 
with  many  persons  he  has  treated,  and  I  consider  that  he  helps  and  cures  about 
one-half  of  the  multitude  and  variety  of  diseases,  most  of  which  had  been  pro- 
nounced incurable  by  other  physicians  ;  but  he  thinks  he  cures  three-quarters, 
and  he  has  the  best  knowledge  of  the  facts.  The  cures  are  permanent,  and  the 
Doctor  is  in  earnest,  and  is  no  humbug  or  deceiver,  as  is  sometimes  alleged. 
His  charges  are  proportioned  to  a  person's  means,  and  never  burdensome,  while 
the  poor  are  treated  free  of  charge. 

I  have  no  interest  in  Dr.  Newton,  but  I  have  in  suffering  humanity,  and  must, 


IN    NEW    YORK    CITY    AGAIN.  1 25 

from  my  own  experience  and  observation,  urge  those  afflicted  with  disease  (no 
matter  if  physicians  say  it  is  incurable),  to  apply  to  Dr.  Newton. 

CHARLES  PARTRIDGE,  No.  72  Front  street. 
NriV  York^  Aug.  30,  1866. 

From  Moses  Cristy,  in  N.  Y.  Dispatch  ; — 

A  JUST  TRIBUTE  TO  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

New  York,  Oct.  2,  1S66. 
Editor  ofN.  V.  Dispatch: 

Dear  Sir, — Having  seen  in  the  Tribune  of  Sept.  10,  an  account  of  "  Heal- 
ing by  Magnetism,"  I  cannot,  in  justice  to  Dr.  Newton,  or  to  my  own  feelings, 
refrain  from  giving  a  true  statement  of  the  most  wonderful  and  impressive  scene 
that  I  have  ever  witnessed  in  my  life  of  nearly  fifty  years.  The  daughter  of  my 
brother,  a  farmer,  residing  in  New  Boston,  N.  H.,  has,  for  the  past  three  years, 
been  one  of  the  greatest  sufferers,  and  for  six  years  an  invalid,  suffering  from 
spinal  disease  and  other  ailments.  Her  father  has  labored  by  day  and  night  to 
secure  for  her  the  services  of  eleven  of  the  best  physicians  in  the  neighborhood 
of  his  home,  but  her  disease  has  defied  their  utmost  efforts  and  skill,  and  they 
had  left  her  to  linger  and  die,  declaring  they  could  do  no  more  for  her. 

The  father,  in  agony  of  heart,  wrote  me  that  he  knew  not  what  to  do.  Deeply 
sympathizing  with  him,  and  being  about  to  visit  some  friends  in  Vermont,  I  wrote 
to  inform  him  that  I  had  heard  of  one  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  (but  I  had  never  seen 
him),  who  was  reported  to  have  performed  some  wonderful  cures,  and  if  his  daugh- 
ter wished  to  come,  and  could  bear  the  journey  of  250  miles,  and  would  write  me 
while  in  Vermont,  I  would  go  to  his  house  and  bring  her  home  with  me  to  see 
Dr.  Newton.  The  answer  was  in  the  affirmative,  and  I  went  to  see  my  niece ; 
but  when  I  entered  the  chamber  of  the  sick  girl,  and  looked  upon  her  wan  and 
emaciated  body,  that  had  wasted  since  I  last  saw  her  from  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  pounds  to  less  than  seventy :  when  I  recollected  that  she  had  lain  in 
that  situation  for  two  long  years,  depending  for  every  motion  upon  kind  and 
gentle  hands ;  my  faith  left  me.  I  did  not  believe  she  could  be  moved,  much 
less  cured. 

She  was,  however,  willing  and  anxious  to  make  the  attempt ;  and  when  we 
laid  her  carefully  upon  a  narrow  bed,  and  carried  her  down  stairs,  and  placed 
her  in  a  carriage  to  ride  18  miles  to  the  cars,  it  seemed  the  height  of  folly  to  start 
on  such  an  undertaking  with  such  a  charge,  with  such  a  faint  hold  on  human  life. 
When  she  reached  the  cars,  she  said  it  seemed  as  though  all  her  strength  was 
gone,  and  that  she  could  not  live  much  longer.  She  was,  however,  restored  by 
the  use  of  stimulants,  and  we  went  on.  She  was  taken  one  hundred  and  seven- 
teen miles  by  railroad,  and  one  hundred  and  fifteen  miles  by  steamboat,  and 
arrived  in  New  York  on  the  morning  of  August  30.  The  patient  had  suffered 
intensely  through  the  whole  of  the  journey.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  she 
was  carried  on  a  stretcher  to  the  house  of  her  friends.  She  reached  them, 
however,  but  not  to  greet  them.  Her  father  and  two  weeping  sisters  with 
others,  stood  around  what  all  supposed  to  be  her  dying  bed. 


126  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Pr.  Newton  had  been  informed  of  her  case,  and  in  the  unbounded  kind- 
ness of  his  heart  (contrary  to  his  practice)  he  left  his  house,  and  hastened  to  the 
sick  girl. 

The  solemnity  and  impressiveness  of  that  scene  will  forever  be  remembered 
by  all  who  were  present,  but  it  can  never  be  described.  In  a  manner  (as  the 
Doctor  truly  says)  peculiar  to  himself,  he  treated  the  unconscious  and  apparently 
dying  patient,  and  in  less  than  three  minutes  she  sat  up  in  bed.  She  then  arose 
to  her  feet  and  walked  the  floor,  with  the  Doctor's  assistance. 

Her  pain  and  suffering  had  all  gone.  Her  spine,  which  had  not  been  touched 
for  years  without  giving  her  intense  pain,  could  now  be  roughly  handled  by  all 
present.  Food  was  immediately  ordered,  and  amid  the  solemn  silence  of  the 
room,  where  there  was  no  sound  save  the  sobs  and  fast-flowing  tears  of  joy,  she 
partook  of  the  food.  She  ate  heartily  and  relished  and  enjoyed  such  a  meal  as 
she  had  not  done  in  five  years. 

I  am  forced  to  look  back  by  day  and  by  night,  with  wonder  and  amazement, 
at  the  above  described  scene,  and  bound  to  acknowledge  that  it  is  beyond  the 
reach  of  my  mind  to  understand.  I  have  only  to  say  that  her  pleasant  voice  and 
cheerful  smile  greet  us  at  the  table  of  the  family  circle  daily.  She  has  continued 
to  improve  from  that  hour,  and  stands  to-day  a  living  witness,  ever  ready  to  tes- 
tify to  the  power  and  goodness  of  her  Heavenly  Father  as  extended  to  her 
through  the  kind-hearted  and  benevolent  Dr.  Newton.        MOSES  CRISTY. 

No.  380  Pearl  Street,  N.  Y.* 

From  Dr.  C.  D.  Hay,  in  the  Washington  Chronicle ; — 

Editor  Chronicle: 

I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  afflicted  to  the  wonderful  healing  powers 
of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  by  stating  what  has  come  under  my  own  observation. 

My  wife's  sister,  Mrs.  Calvert,  had  a  hard  tumor  in  her  left  breast,  about  the 
size  of  an  almond,  which  had  caused  her  much  uneasiness  for  eight  years  past,  her 
mother  having  died  of  a  similar  tumor  in  her  breast,  and  my  wife  having  also 
had  a  similar  one  taken  out  by  surgical  operation  some  years  since  by  Dr.  May. 

This  tumor  of  Mrs.  C.'s  was  entirely  dissipated  and  removed  in  my  presence 
in  the  incredibly  short  space  of  one  minute^  and  no  trace  of  it  has  since  returned — 
more  than  a  week  having  since  elapsed.  I  have  also  seen  more  than  a  dozen 
persons  who  have  been  cured  of  different  maladies  by  Dr.  Newton,  and  that 
without  any  medicines  whatever,  C.  D.  HAY, 

Washington,  D.  C. 

*  In  a  note  to  the  editor,  under  date  of  380  Pearl  street,  New  York,  Dec.  13,  1875,  Mr. 
Cristy  says,  in  relation  to  this  and  a  subsequent  case  given  in  chapter  XIX.  of  this  volume  : 

"  The  cure  of  my  niece  by  Dr.  Newton,  as  written  in  1867,  was  a  lasting  one,  and  I  cannot  see 
any  reason  to  alter  the  account  in  any  manner  or  particular.  I  consider  the  second  cure.,  of  con- 
gestion of  the  lungs,  the  greater  and  most  wonderful  one,  but  I  have  never  seen  any  written 
account  of  it.  It  was  at  my  house  in  Greenwich,  Ct.,  in  Jan'y,  1871.  My  niece  is  now  with  me 
and  in  very  comfortable  health." 


IN    UTICA,    N.    Y.,    ETC.  12/ 


CHAPTER  X. 

IN  UTICA,  TROY,  ELMIRA,  BUFFALO,  N.  Y.,  TOLEDO  AND  COLUMBUS,  O., 
AND  OTHER  WESTERN  CITIES. 

Invitation  to  Utica. — Testimony  of  the  Observer. — Other  Testimonies. — Cures  at  Troy. — 
At  Elmira.— At  Rochester.— At  Buffalo.— At  Toledo.— At  Columbus.— At  Belle- 
fontaine. — At  Indianapolis. — At  St.  Louis. 

After  a  very  successful  practice  of  several  months  in  New 
York  City,  Dr.  Newton,  in  response  to  invitations,  visited  some  of 
the  principal  cities  of  the  State.  The  newspaper  and  other  ac- 
counts which  have  been  preserved  give  some  indication  of  the 
results  of  these  visits.  The  visit  to  Utica  was  made  in  compliance 
with  an  invitation  emanating,  as  the  Daily  Observer  of  that  city 
remarked,  "  from  an  excellent  body  of  citizens."  It  was  as  fol- 
lows : — 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton: 

Dear  Sir, — We,  the  undersigned  citizens  of  Utica,  having  heard  of  the  won- 
derful cures  you  are  daily  performing,  would  respectfully  invite  you,  at  your 
earliest  convenience,  to  visit  our  city,  feeling  satisfied — should  you  do  so — that 
your  sojourn  will  relieve  many  sufferers,  and  that  they  will  be  substantially  bene- 
fited thereby. 

W.  B.  Lord,  W.  M.  Storrs, 

A.  S.  Herendeen,  J.  W.  Church, 

J.  Griffiths,  Theo.  S.  Sayre, 

H.  C.  Faber,  James  Eaton, 

Jas.  McQuade,  W.  Spruce, 

W.  H.  Duval,  B.  F.  Davies, 

Theo.  F.  Butterfield,  J.  A.  Southworth, 

Thomas  Davis,  A.  T.  Spencer, 

George  Ralph,  Herman  Ehle, 

Isaac  Whiffen,  \Vm.  H.  Robinson. 

J.  H.  Howe. 


128  THE  MODERN  BETHESDA. 

REPLY. 

Syracuse,  October  8th,  1867. 
Gentlemen, — Your  kind  invitation   to  practice  in  Utica  I  cordially  accept, 
with  many  thanks  for  the  courtesy.     I  will  be  at  Baggs'  Hotel  from  October  20th 
to  November  14th. 

I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  R.  NEWTON,  M.  D. 
Messrs.  W.  B.  Lord  and  others,  Utica,  N.  Y. 

The  Observer^  of  subsequent  dates,  contained  the  following  edi- 
torial testimonies : — 

DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

This  gentleman,  whose  fame  as  a  "  healing  physician "  is  as  widespread  as 
the  continent,  is  now  staying  at  Baggs'  Hotel,  in  this  city,  and  will  remain  for 
two  weeks  longer,  for  the  cure  of  disease  in  its  various  forms.  Large  numbers 
attend  his  rooms  daily,  and  many  go  away  rejoicing.  Among  others,  this  morn- 
ing, Mr.  Henry  W.  Adams,  of  Oriskany  Falls,  who  has  been  laboring  for  some 
time  under  an  attack  of  chronic  rheumatism,  managed  to  crawl  to  the  Doctor's 
rooms,  by  the  aid  of  a  cane  in  each  hand.  In  a  few  minutes  he  emerged  from 
the  rooms,  leaving  his  canes  behind  him,  and  walking  erect  and  at  ease.  The 
Doctor  uses  no  medicine,  relying  simply  upon  a  healing  efficacy  which  may  be 
called  magnetism,  for  want  of  a  better  word.  Those  who  are  cured  of  their  dis- 
eases and  afflictions  will  not  be  likely  to  complain  that  they  were  healed  without 
medicine.  The  Doctor's  charges  are  moderate,  and  proportioned  to  the  means 
oi  the  patient,  and  we  feel  that  we  are  simply  doing  our  duty  in  advising  those 
who  are  afflicted  to  call  and  see  him. 

HEALING  THE  SICK. 

The  invitation  which  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  extended  to  the  sick  and  the  crippled 
to  come  to  Mechanics'  Hall  yesterday  morning  and  be  healed,  served  to  bring 
together  a  very  respectable  audience,  though  many  present  were  not  there  to 
obtain  relief.  Nearly  all  were  acquainted  with  the  fame  which  the  Doctor  had 
acquired  during  the  past  six  or  eight  years,  and  expected  to  see  remarkable 
things  done. 

Dr.  Newton  came  upon  the  platform  at  half-past  ten  o'clock.  He  is  not  above 
medium  size,  but  well  organized,  and  has  muscles  of  steel ;  has  a  finely-formed 
head,  and  a  face  wearing  a  kindly  expression.  The  Doctor  proceeded  to  say 
that  he  possessed  the  gift  of  healing,  and  had  performed  cures  since  he  was  a 
child.  His  power  was  not  miraculous,  though  wonderful  in  extent.  *  *  » 
It  is  the  power  with  which  Christ  healed  the  sick,  and  the  power  He  gave  to 
His  disciples  when  he  sent  them  forth.  It  is  such  a  power  as  every  Chistian 
teacher  ought  to  be  liberally  endowed  with,  for  every  minister  of  the  gospel 
should  have  the  healing  power.  The  Doctor  told  of  many  remarkable  cures 
which  he  had  effected,  and  of  the  pleasure  he  found  in  doing  good  without 


IN    UTICA,    N.    Y.,    ETC.  1 29 

money  and  without  price.  He  told  of  a  cure  which  he  effected  in  Oswego 
several  years  ago,  in  the  case  of  our  friend  Lord,  of  the  New  York  Furniture 
Warehouse,  and  Mr.  Lord,  who  was  present,  endorsed  the  Doctor's  statement. 
Mr.  Lord  is  a  stout  believer  in  the  wonderful  gifts  of  Dr.  Newton.  The  Doctor 
invited  the  sick  and  the  halt  to  come  forward,  and,  though  there  was  hesitation 
at  first,  all  reserve  disappeared,  and  we  think  all  went  forward  who  were  in  any 
way  afflicted  with  bodily  ailments.  The  Doctor  spent  an  hour  in  healing.  Gen- 
erally he  would  touch  the  part  affected,  call  upon  the  disease  to  depart,  and 
declare  the  patient  healed.  In  nearly  every  case  the  patient  confessed  himscli 
to  feeling  better,  and  some  declared  with  happy  faces  that  they  had  been  wholly 
and  suddenly  cured.  A  few  said  they  were  not  sensible  of  receiving  any  benefit. 
The  Doctor  charged  nothing  for  his  cures,  and  believes  that  his  power  would 
be  lessened  should  he  use  it  for  the  purpose  of  getting  rich — should  he  withhold 
services  from  the  poor.  When  he  left  the  stage  he  was  still  pursued  by  patients  ; 
and  still  when  he  went  into  the  street.  And  at  Baggs'  Hotel,  in  the  afternoon 
and  evening,  he  was  visited  by  considerable  numbers,  the  story  of  his  cures  in 
the  morning  having  travelled  rapidly  over  the  city.  Mr.  Lane,  who  fell  through 
the  Broad  street  bridge,  a  few  weeks  since,  met  the  Doctor  on  the  street  yester- 
day afternoon.  The  Doctor  arrested  Mr.  Lane's  painful  progress  upon  crutches, 
used  his  healing  power  upon  him,  took  away  his  crutches  and  sent  him  away 
wondering  and  upon  unaided  legs.  Collector  Whifiin,  who  happened  to  be  at 
Baggs'  Hotel  in  the  evening,  was  induced  to  let  the  Doctor  operate  upon  him, 
and  Mr.  W.,  who  went  up  stairs  limping  with  rheumatism,  came  down  in  the 
most  coltish  and  comfortable  condition.  It  is  proper  to  say,  however,  that  his 
rheumatism  partially  returned  this  morning,  but  it  is  far  from  being  as  painful  as 
yesterday. 

The  following  statements  of  cures  effected  in  Utica,  are  from 
other  .sources : — 

W.  B.  Lord,  of  Utica,  was  cured  of  a  large  tumor  on  the  neck,  of  many 
years'  growth.  He  went  to  the  Doctor's  rooms,  hoping  to  be  cured,  but  having 
but  little  faith.  The  Doctor  told  him  he  could  remove  the  tumor,  but  not 
instantly ;  but  that  in  fifty-six  days  it  would  disappear. 

Mr.  Lord  took  his  memorandum  book  and  wrote  :  "  Hocus  pocus — Dr.  New- 
ton says  in  fifty-six  days  I  shall  be  cured." 

After  receiving  treatment,  Mr.  Lord  went  home.  No  change  appeared 
until  the  fifty-second  day,  when  the  tumor  began  to  discharge,  and  on  the  fifty- 
sixth  day  it  had  entirely  disappeared. 

It  is  needless  to  state  that  Mr.  Lord  became  one  of  the  Doctor's  warmest 
friends,  and  a  firm  believer  in  the  power  to  heal  disease  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands.  He  still  resides  in  Utica  and  takes  pleasure  in  relating  the  particulars 
of  his  cure."  * 

*  Mr.  Lord,  in  a  note  to  the  editor,  dated  Utica,  Dec.  i,  1875,  says,  this  "  report  was  sub- 
stantially correct.    The  cure  was  permanent." 


130  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

"  W.  H.  Duval,  Esq.,  of  Utica,  had  a  straight  finger  for  sixteen  years — the 
effect  of  a  cut.  He  said  to  Dr.  Newton,  'There  is  something  you  cannot 
cure.'  But  by  the  merest  touch  the  Doctor  made  the  finger  flexible,  and  in  a 
few  moments  he  could  bend  and  use  it  as  well  as  ever." 

The  following  cures  are  reported  as  having  occurred  in  the 
city  of  Troy  : — 

Stillwater,  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  : 

Dear  Sir, — A  duty  I  owe  to  mankind  impels  me  to  make  a  plain  statement  of 
facts.  For  the  last  four  years  and  eight  months  my  wife  has  been  paralyzed  from 
a  bad  curvature  of  the  spine  and  other  difficulties,  and  unable  to  walk  during  all 
that  time.  I  have  had  all  the  best  physicions  I  could  hear  of,  at  a  cost  of  over 
two  hundred  dollars  a  year.  We  had  despaired  of  her  ever  being  able  to  walk 
again  until  we  heard  of  you  and  the  wonderful  cures  you  were  performing  in 
Troy.  I  called  on  you  there.  You  said,  "  I  can  cure  your  wife."  I  said,  "  I 
have  but  little  faith."  You  replied :  "  If  you  have  faith  enough  to  bring  her 
here,  I  can  certainly  cure  her.  I  never  fail  of  curing  a  disease  of  this  kind." 
With  this  assurance  I  carried  my  wife  with  great  difficulty  to  you,  and  with  five 
minutes'  treatment  she  was  able  to  stand  up ;  in  ten  minutes  more  she  could 
walk  with  some  one  at  her  side,  and  in  thirty  minutes  more  she  could  walk  un- 
aided. She  was  perfectly  cured  and  continues  well  as  any  one.  Thanks  to  our 
heavenly  Father. 

Yours,  with  deep  gratitude, 

WM.  M.  BARTLETT. 

From  the  Troy  Press: — 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  at  No.  lo  State  street,  Troy,  is  doing  wonders,  curing  dis- 
eases of  the  "  blind,  the  lame  and  the  halt "  without  the  use  of  medicine.  The 
poor  will  be  operated  upon  free.  The  Doctor  does  not  pretend  to  cure  all,  but 
cures  many. 

Read  the  following  testimonial — 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  : 

Dear  Sir, — A  sense  of  gratitude  prompts  me  to  send  you  a  statement  of  my 
sufferings  and  cure,  which  you  have  my  permission  to  publish  if  you  think 
proper.  Eight  months  ago  I  was  attacked  with  inflammation  of  the  outer  cover- 
ing of  the  shin  bone  in  both  limbs,  and  have  suffered  intense  pain  ever  since ; 
and  for  the  last  four  months  have  been  entirely  unable  to  walk,  until  about  two 
weeks  ago  I  was  set  upon  my  feet  and  restored  to  perfect  health  by  you,  in  one 
treatment  of  about  ten  minutes.     For  which  I  remain,  gratefully  yours, 

MRS.  E.  F.  ROGERS. 

WONDERFUL  CURES  BY  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  the  celebrated  healer,  was  in  Troy  last  week,  and  per- 


IN    TROY    AND    ELMIRA,    N.    Y.  I3I 

formed  some  remarkable  cures.  He  uses  no  medicine  whatever,  and  the  cures 
by  his  treatment  bring  to  mind  the  "miracles"  of  olden  time.  The  blind  are 
made  to  see  and  the  lame  to  walk,  often  by  a  single  treatment.  Mr.  Henry  Van 
Buren,  of  Troy,  had  the  rheumatism  so  badly  that  he  was  pronounced  incurable 
by  six  different  physicians.  Dr.  Newton  cured  him  in  a  few  minutes  and  he  went 
to  work  the  next  day.  Some  of  our  readers  may  think  that  the  Doctor's  cures 
are  not  lasting,  and  that  the  malady  will  return  after  a  time.  All  who  have  this 
idea  should  read  the  following  certificate  in  regard  to  a  young  lady  of  this  city, 
who  was  treated  for  blindness  six  years  ago,  and  whose  eyesight  has  not  failed 
her  since  : — 

Troy,  Nov.  10,  1869. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  : — Allow  me  to  express  my  gratitude  to  you  for  the  won- 
derful cure  performed  by  you  on  my  daughter  six  years  ago.  She  had  been 
nearly  blind  with  inflamed  eyes  about  fourteen  years.  At  times  she  would  have 
to  be  kept  in  a  dark  room,  and  could  not  bear  a  light.  We  had  tried  a  great 
many  different  eye  doctors  and  remedies,  and  to  no  effect,  until  you  operated  on 
her,  when  she  was  perfectly  restored,  and  has  remained  soever  since,  and  is  now 
in  better  health  than  she  was  previously.  She  is  able  to  read  fine  print  and  sew 
on  fine  goods,  etc.  Any  one  wishing  to  know  any  thing  in  regard  to  the  case  can 
be  referred  to  me. 

ALEXANPER  McCOY, 
No.  255  Eighth  street. 

The  editor  of  the  Tioga  Democrat^  published  at  Waverly,  N.  Y., 
gave  the  following  statement  of  what  he  witnessed  at  Elmira : — 

J.  R.  NEWTON,  M.  D. 

Being  present  at  the  rooms  of  this  eminent  and  wonderful  physician  of 
Rochester,  some  five  hours,  while  treating  a  large  number  of  persons  at  the 
Brainard  House  in  Elmira,  we  must  be  excused  for  occupying  so  much  space  iii . 
the  Democrat,  respecting  his  treatment  and  most  astonishing  cures. 

Dr.  Newton's  practice  is  mostly  confined  to  diseases  and  cases  given  up  by 
other  medical  men  as  incurable.  His  treatment  is  not  only  peculiar  to  himself, 
but  seems  to  have  magnetic  power  over  the  disease  of  the  body  and  mind.  He 
calls  it  the  "  Gift  of  Healing."  He  restores  to  vitality  by  equalizing  the  circula- 
tion of  the  vital  or  nervous  fluid. 

********* 

We  have  great  faith  in  Dr.  Newton's  **  healing  power."  Some  may  say  "  it's 
all  humbug."  Others,  that  "  the  cures  cannot  last,"  but  from  what  we  witnessed 
during  his  treatment  of  some  seventy  or  eighty  persons — the  blind,  the  lame,  the 
deaf,  the  rheumatic,  the  palsied,  the  scrofulous,  etc,  etc. — stern  facts  compel  us 
to  pronounce  his  magnetic  power  of  healing  wonderful  and  scientific.  He  made 
the  lame  walk,  the  deaf  hear,  the  blind  see,  and  performed  almost  miracles  in 
our  presence.        *        *        * 


132  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Our  daughter,  who  was  shot  in  her  right  hand  by  a  revolver,  the  ball  passing 
up  her  arm,  was  restored  in  a  minute,  being  able  to  open  and  shut  her  hand  with 
perfect  ease  and  without  pain,  restoring  its  natural  warmth  and  vitality.  For  a 
year  and  a  half  she  could  not  open  nor  shut  her  hand,  nor  restore  its  usual  heat. 
She  has  resumed  her  music  lessons  much  to  her  delight. 

Other  statements  that  have  been  preserved  are  as  follows  : — 

Rochester,  Feb.  22. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton, 

My  Dear  Sir : — I  suppose  you  have  forgotten  me,  but  I  shall  never  forget  my 
benefactor.  I  had  been  afflicted  with  rheumatism  and  neuralgia  for  more  than 
twenty  years.  I  called  to  see  you  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  you  cured  me,  so 
that  I  was  enabled  to  throw  aside  my  crutches.  It  is  now  two  years  since  then ; 
and,  thank  God,  I  have  had  no  return  of  the  disease,  and  am  as  strong  and  well 
as  I  was  before  I  was  taken  ill. 

Believe  me,  I  am  yours,  with  grateful  thanks, 

R.  G.  WELLS. 

From  the  AmericaJi  Spiritualist,  Cleveland^  O  : — 
DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON  AT  BUFFALO. 

Editors  American  Spiritualist  : — "Wonders  will  never  cease ;"  and  so  must 
many  of  our  citizens  have  thought,  as,  close  on  the  heels  of  the  retreating  army 
of  Spiritualists,  who  had  been  here  in  attendance  at  our  late  National  Conven- 
tion, came  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  the  world-renowned  healer,  bringing  health  and 
happiness  to  the  sick  and  afflicted — thereby  shaking  well  the  dry  bones  of  our 
fossilized  sectarians,  many  of  whom,  since  the  Doctor's  coming,  have  been  led  to 
exclaim,  like  the  Pharisees  of  old,  "  What  manner  of  man  is  this  "  who  "  healeth 
every  sickness  and  disease  among  the  people,"  and  "  maketh  both  the  deaf  to 
hear  and  the  dumb  to  speak  ?  "  as  exemplified  in  the  subjoined  cases. 

Cures  performed  by  Dr.  Newton,  while  at  the  Bloomer  House,  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
September  4th,  5th,  and  6th  :  The  most  noted  was  that  of  a  Mrs.  Elijah  Bliss,  of 
Hume,  Alleghany  County,  N.  Y.  [Omitted  here,  because  given  more  fully  in  the 
following  extract. — Ed.]  A  young  woman,  deaf  and  dumb  since  three  years  of 
age,  with  one  treatment  heard  common  conversation  and  repeated  the  alphabet, 
etc.,  after  the  D©ctor  and  others  present.  A  German  woman,  totally  blind  in 
one  eye,  received  her  sight  with  one  treatment.  A  young  man,  one  of  the  waiters 
at  the  Bloomer  House,  who  had  for  the  past  year  been  afflicted  with  slow  paral- 
ysis, being  brought  to  the  Doctor  was  cured,  so  that  the  next  day  he  was  enabled 
to  return  to  his  former  post,  waiting  upon  table. 

These,  and  many  similar  facts  regarding  the  Doctor's  "  good  works  "  among 
us,  being  personally  known  to  me,  I  gladly  submit  the  same  to  your  readers,  as 
proafs  positive  of  the  signs  which  do  follow  all  Heaven-ordained  ministers  labor- 
ing for  the  spread  of  truth's  holy  gospel.  C.  H.  M. 


IN    BUFFALO,    N.    Y.  I33 

From  the  Banner  of  Light : — 

Editors  Banner  : — On  the  i8th  of  the  present  month,  I  was  an  eye-witness  to 
some  very  remarkable  cures  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  at  his  rooms  in  the  Bloomer 
House,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Two  of  these  cures  I  wish  to  report,  as  a  tribute  of  respect 
to  the  Doctor,  and  also  for  the  benefit  of  the  readers  of  the  Banmr. 

First  I  will  mention  the  case  of  the  wife  of  Elijah  Bliss,  of  Hume,  Alleghany 
Co.,  N.  Y.  She  is  forty-eight  years  old,  but  in  consequence  of  much  suffering 
appeared  to  be  sixty.  She  had  spinal  disease  and  female  weakness.  Had  not 
walked  in  nine  years.  Had  not  been  dressed  in  six  years,  nor  had  on  shoes, 
and  had  not  been  able  to  sit  in  a  chair  during  that  time.  Her  limbs  were  entirely 
paralyzed.  In  ten  minutes  after  she  was  brought  into  the  Doctor's  room  she  was 
completely  restored,  and  walked  through  the  house  from  room  to  room  shouting 
and  praising  God,  while  tears  of  joy  were  streaming  down  her  cheeks.  Her  hus- 
band and  two  daughters  accompanied  her.  One  daughter,  nearly  eleven  years 
of  age,  had  never  sten  her  mother  walk  before,  and  only  knew  her  as  an  invalid, 
unable  to  leave  her  bed  ;  and  as  her  mother  now  walked  across  the  floor  and 
grasped  the  hands  of  her  children,  all  present  were  affected  to  tears ;  many  were 
witnesses  of  the  scene.  The  facts  concerning  the  patient's  past  condition  for 
nine  years  were  given  me  by  herself  and  eldest  daughter. 

The  other  case  which  I  wish  to  relate  is  that  of  a  deaf  and  dumb  girl,  about 
eighteen  years  old,  who  had  not  spoken  since  three  years  of  age,  and  was  totally 
deaf  for  the  same  time.  She  was  fully  restored  to  speech  and  hearing  in  ten 
minutes,  and  all  present  heard  her  speak  and  saw  the  Doctor  test  her  hearing, 
by  standing  one  side  and  partly  back  of  her,  so  that  she  could  not  see  his  lips 
move,  and  at  the  distance  of  three  feet  from  her,  when  she  could  hear  him  whis- 
per, and  would  answer  questions  and  repeat  names,  etc.,  after  him.  The  facts 
concerning  her  past  condition  were  given  me  by  her  sister,  who  was  with  her.  I 
made  the  journey  to  Buffalo,  a  distance  of  near  two  hundred  miles,  mainly  to 
visit  Dr.  Newton,  who  is  truly  my  benefactor  in  an  especial  manner,  for  which  I 
am  truly  grateful.  I  became  acquainted  with  Dr.  N.  two  years  ago,  at  which 
time  he  restored  my  sight  from  total  blindness,  an  account  of  which  wonderful 
cure  I  propose  to  give  to  the  readers  of  the  Banner  ere  long.  W. 

During  a  western  tour  made  about  this  time,  in  compliance  with 
invitations  received  from  prominent  citizens  of  various  places,  the 
same  success  attended  the  labors  of  the  healer,  as  evinced  by  the 
following  testimonies  taken  chiefly  from  the  local  papers. 

From  the  Toledo  (O.)  Record:— 

A  REMARKABLE  CURE. 

Mrs.  Margaret  Fuller,  of  Washington  township.  Wood  county,  who  was 
thrown  from  a  horse  twenty-five  years  ago,  by  which  her  spine  was  so  much 
affected  that  she  has  not  since  been  able  to  walk,  visited  Doctor  Newton,  now  stop- 


134  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

ping  at  the  Oliver  House  in  this  city,  who  cures  all  maladies  that  human  flesh 
and  bones  is  heir  to,  by  a  magic  power  that  is  truly  wonderful.  Mrs.  F.  came 
down  yesterday  morning  on  the  D.  &  M.  accommodation,  visited  the  Doctor, 
and  at  half-past  eleven,  a.m.,  called  at  our  office,  having  walked  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  !  She  said  she  felt  as  well  and  strong  as  she  ever  did,  and  could  scarcely 
be  induced  to  sit  down.  She  came  to  have  us  publish  the  fact  that  others  simi- 
larly afflicted  may  be  blessed  as  she  has  been.  The  Doctor  is  daily  astonishing 
the  people  with  examples  of  his  healing  power.  He  is  unable  to  explain  how  he 
cures,  but  believes  his  power  to  heal  is  daily  increasing.  It  is  certainly  wonder- 
ful. The  lady  now  before  us  we  know  personally.  She  is  highly  respectable, 
and  we  do  not  wonder  that  she  is  almost  wild  with  delight  at  her  immediate  re- 
covery. She  is  the  sister  of  Major  Stratton,  of  the  loth  Ohio  Cavalry,  and  the 
mother  of  Lieuts.  J.  S.  and  S.  D.  Fuller.* 

From  the  Columbus  (O.)  yournal: — 

A  WONDERFUL  DOCTOR. 

In  accordance  with  an  intention  expressed  in  our  last  issue,  we  were  yester- 
day present  at  a  series  of  operations  performed  at  Ambos'  Hall,  by  Dr.  J.  R. 
Newton,  who  claims  to  cure  most  cases  of  sickness  and  bodily  affliction,  almost 
instantaneously,  by  magnetic  influence,  or  will-power.  Without  venturing  an 
opinion  as  to  the  permanency  of  the  cures,  or  endeavoring  to  explain  causes,  we 
shall  simply  relate  our  observations,  and  the  modus  operandi  adopted  by  this 
singular  physician. 

In  the  Hall  were  congregated  at  least  two  hundred  afflicted  members  of 
the  human  family, — some  blind,  or  partially  so,  a  few  temporarily  lame  or  per- 
manently crippled,  and  others  suffering  with  "  all  the  ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to." 
These  were  admitted,  a'  dozen  at  a  time,  into  an  ante-room,  where  stood  the 
"Doctor,"  a  heavy-set,  well-developed,  pleasant  looking  gentleman,  about  sixty 
years  of  age.  Seating  themselves  on  benches  ranged  upon  three  sides  of  the 
room.  Dr.  Newton  addressed  them  in  substance  as  follows  :  "  In  order  that  you 
may  be  cured,  it  is  necessary  that  you  bear  good  will  to  all  men  ;  that  you  love 
your  neighbor  as  yourself,  and  that  you  have  implicit  faith  in  my  works."  He 
then  called  the  patients,  one  by  one,  to  their  feet,  where  they  were  able  to  stand, 
and  passing  his  hands  gently  across  their  foreheads,  exclaimed,  "  May  God  bless 
you  :  may  the  angels  bless  you."  The  diseased  members  or  parts  were  next  sub- 
jected to  severe  manipulation  by  the  Doctor,  who  stood  a  greater  portion  of  the 

*  A  note  of  inquiry,  addressed  to  Mrs.  Fuller,  by  the  editor  of  t'lis  volume,  brought  the  fol- 
lowing response,  dated  Tontogany,  Ohio,  Dec.  28,  1875  : — 

"  That  which  you  saw  on  record  is  strictly  true.  I  was  thrown  backward  from  my  horse  and 
injured  my  spine  when  I  was  14  years  old,  and  did  not  walk  for  25  years — as  my  father  and  oldest 
sister,  living  at  Berea,  Ohio,  and  all  my  brothers  and  sisters,  eight  in  number,  and  eight  children, 
and  a  great  number  of  neighbors,  would  testify — as  well  as  my  husband,  and  the  gentleman  who 
went  into  the  room  with  me  and  my  husband  when  I  was  cured.  He  still  lives  in  this  place,  and 
is  keeping  the  Railroad  Hotel.  I  am  not  strong — never  was,  but  can  walk  and  do  light  work. 
♦  *  *  M.  Fuller." 


IN    COLUMBUS,    O.  135 

time  with  closed  eyes,  and  in  a  position  indicative  of  considerable  mental  and 
bodily  exertion,  remarking  as  he  worked,  "  It  will  leave  you — use  no  medicine — 
you  are  well — walk  off." 

Among  those  who  came  for  treatment,  was  a  lady  afflicted  with  sore  eyes,  of 
one  of  which  she  had  had  no  use  for  about  fifteen  years.  By  pressing  the  inflamed 
organs  with  the  balls  of  his  thumbs,  and  by  rubbing  her  face  in  the  region  of  the 
eyes  violently  with  his  hands  for  a  few  minutes,  she  declared  herself  improved, 
and  in  a  short  time  was  able  to  read  a  newspaper  without  inconvenience  ;  a  thing 
she  had  seldom  done  in  fifteen  years.  A  rheumatic  Teuton  came  hopping  in,  by 
the  aid  of  a  crutch.  A  twisting  and  slapping  of  the  limb  ensued,  when  the  Doc- 
tor walked  him  out  of  the  room,  with  his  crutch  dangling  unused  by  his  side. 

And  so  the  healing  process  continued.  Those  suffering  with  asthma,  tumors, 
deafness,  weakness,  and  other  complaints,  were  dealt  with  in  nearly  the  same 
manner  as  the  foregoing.  One  remarkable  feature  of  the  affair  was  the  readiness 
with  which  the  operator  in  most  instances  told  the  disease  by  which  the  patient 
was  afflicted.  Another  inexplicable  feature,  and  one  which  we  conceive  to  be 
miraculous  (provided  a  cure  has  been  effected),  was  the  presentation  of  a  gar- 
ment belonging  to  a  bedridden  woman.  The  Doctor,  taking  it  between  his  hands, 
closed  his  eyes,  and  bade  the  fever  with  which  the  woman  was  possessed  "  de- 
part,"— declaring  to  the  messenger  who  brought  it  that  the  woman  was  healed, 
and  bidding  him  go  home  and  tell  her  to  get  out  of  bed. 

As  we  have  before  remarked,  we  do  not  attempt  to  offer  any  explanation  con- 
cerning this  vexed  subject,  but  leave  it  for  time  and  future  investigation  to  de- 
termine the  efficacy  or  fallacy  of  the  treatment  adopted  by  Dr.  Newton.  We, 
however,  advise  the  ailing  and  the  curious  to  visit  the  Doctor  and  judge  for 
themselves. 

From  the  Miami  Gazette^  Waynesville,  O. 

DOCTOR  NEWTON. 

On  our  first  page  we  give  an  account  of  some  of  the  operations  of  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton,  who  has  been  effecting  some  wonderful  cures  in  Columbus  during 
the  past  few  weeks.  Since  that  article  was  put  in  type,  some  convincing  proofs 
of  the  Doctor's  ability  have  come  under  our  personal  observation,  and  we 
give  our  invalid  readers  the  benefit  thereof:  Almost  every  one  in  Waynes- 
ville knows  little  Eddie  Kingdon,  who  for  three  years  past  has  not  been  able 
to  walk  without  a  crutch,  and  the  nerves  of  whose  leg  has  been  so  much  con- 
tracted that  it  was  almost  bent  double — so  much  so  at  least,  that  he  has  with  the 
utmost  difficulty,  brought  his  foot  to  the  ground.  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
various  means  had  been  employed  in  the  endeavor  to  effect  a  cure,  but  all  with 
little  or  no  effect.  On  Thursday  last,  the  boy  was  taken  to  Columbus  on  the 
midnight  train,  was  operated  upon  a  few  minutes  by  Dr.  Newton,  returned  in  the 
evening  of  Friday  without  his  crutch,  and  walked  from  Corwin  to  Waynesville 
without  discomfort  or  fatigue,  and  is  now  able  to  run  and  jump  with  ease. 

The  other  case  is  that  of  Mr.  Dakin,  who  resides  between  Harveysburg  and 
Waynesville,  who  went  to  Dr.  Newton  at  the  same  time.     This  gentleman  had 


136  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

been  almost  utterly  prostrated  for  six  months  by  rheumatism,  and  had  not 
walked  to  any  extent  during  that  time ;  indeed  he  had  to  be  lifted  on  to  the  cars 
when  embarking  for  Columbus.  On  Saturday  last  he  returned,  able  to  walk 
quite  briskly,  and  also  relieved  of  a  very  troublesome  affectiorl  in  the  throat 
which  had  before  prevented  his  swallowing  without  much  pain. 

We  have  been  told  of  other  equally  (as  it  would  seem)  miraculous  cures  per- 
formed by  Dr.  Newton,  but  the  cases  above  mentioned  we  can  vouch  for  as  being 
reliable.        *        *        * 

The  Doctor  will  not  take  fees  from  persons  who  are  not  worth  over  one 
thousand  dollars  ;  and  his  conduct  stamps  him  as  a  Christian  as  well  as  an  ex. 
traordinary  physician.  We  are  led  to  these  remarks  because  we  believe  we 
render  a  service  to  the  afflicted,  not  because  we  are  interested  in  promoting  the 
Doctor's  patronage  other  than  by  relieving  the  sick.  As  he  goes  about  the  world 
doing  good,  his  power  must  be  derived  from  a  good  source ;  and  hence  he  may 
certainly  be  classed  among  those  who  are,  in  the  highest  sense,  helping  on  the 
millenium. 

The  following,  published  in  the  Banner  of  Lights  in  1866,  has 
reference,  doubtless,  to  a  cure  performed  by  Dr.  N.  on  a  previous 
western  tour : — 

VOLUNTARY  TESTIMONY. 

Since  my  cure  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  in  Columbus,  after  nine  years*  inability  to 
walk,  was  published  in  the  Banner,  Jan  6th,  we  are  receiving  letters  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  inquiring  whether  I  can  walk  now.  I  am  happy  to  say  to 
all,  far  and  near,  that  I  can,  and  am  hoping  that  very  many  blessings  may  descend 
on  my  God-sent  deliverer.  And,  while  I  thank  the  Lord  for  what  he  has  done  for 
me,  I  hope  he  will  do  as  much  for  thousands  of  others  who  are  yet  suffering,  and 
whom  drugs  cannot  cure.  *  *  *  I  had  given  up  all  hope  of  relief,  yet  won- 
dered why  it  was  that  people  could  not  be  cured  as  in  Christ's  time,  and  if  there 
was  any  way  that  I  might  find  it ;  and,  thank  the  Lord,  I  found  it,  to  the  joy  of 
all  our  friends.  Yours  truly, 

ELIZA  VINCENT. 

Marietta,  Ohio,  March  13,  1866. 

LETTER  FROM  C.  P.  THOMAS  TO  DR.  NEWTON. 

My  Dear  Sir, — I  write  to  make  a  statement  in  regard  to  the  cure  you  made 
of  my  daughter  in  Bellefontaine,  Ohio.  She  had  been  entirely  blind  for  one  year 
and  we  had  tried  many  skilful  physicians,  but  to  no  effect.  When  I  heard  of 
your  wonderful  cures,  I  took  her  to  you,  and  in  three  minutes'  time,  by  your 
touch  alone,  my  daughter  was  perfectly  restored  to  sight,  and  remains  so  to  this 
day.  I  shall  ever  feel  deep  gratitude  to  you  and  the  good  powers  above  for  the 
great  good  done  my  child  *'  without  money  and  without  price." 

Most  truly  yours, 

C.  P.  THOMAS, 

Per  Dr.  S.  Maxwell. 


IN    BELLEFONTAINE,    O.,    ETC.  13/ 

Affidavit  of  Abraham  Clarke,  of  Indianapolis.  Ind. 

Indianapolis,  Nov.  30,  1868. 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton.  Dear  Sir : — Duty  impels  me  to  give  you  a  plain  state- 
ment of  my  life's  suffering  and  cure  by  you,  which  you  may  publish. 

I,  Abraham  Clarke,  of  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  21  years  old  the  25th  inst.,  having 
been  a  paralytic  cripple  ever  since  I  was  three  months  old,  unable  even  to  lift  my 
hands  up  to  my  head,  or  walk  without  great  difficulty,  and  so  nervous  that  I  could 
hardly  stand  or  sit  still,  and  at  times  suffering  so  great  pain  that  my  wailings 
were  intolerable  to  those  around  me.  On  Saturday,  Nov.  28th,  I  went  with  my 
mother  to^see  if  you  could  cure  me,  for  I  had  heard  so  much  of  your  wonderful 
power  of  curing  all  kinds  of  diseases  without  medicine  that  all  other  doctors  said 
were  incurable,  that  I  had  faith  that  you  could  cure  me.  Now,  to  make  a  short 
story,  you  cured  me  perfectly  with  one  treatment.  I  arose  upon  my  feet,  walked 
without  limping,  with  a  firm  easy  step,  raised  my  hands  over  my  head,  then  I 
took  a  large  heavy  chair  in  either  hand  by  the  leg  of  each,  balancing  them  above 
my  head,  as  few  well  men  can  do,  and  to  sum  it  all  up,  I  say  that  I  am  made 
whole  and  sound  as  any  other  man  as  far  as  I  know  or  others  discern,  and  for 
the  first  time  in  my  life  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  health,  and  I  thank  my  Heavenly 
Father  that  I  am  a  well  man.     My  former  life  and  suffering  seems  like  a  dream. 

In  gratitude  I  am  your  friend,  ABRAHAM  CLARKE. 

Indianapolis,  Nov.  loth,  1868. 
Personally  appeared  before  me,  Abraham  Clarke,  who  deposes,  under  oath, 
that  the  foregoing  statement  is  every  word  true. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me,  J.  P.  Pinkerton,  a  Notary  Public,  in  and 
for  the  county  of  Marion,  and  State  of  Indiana. 

J.  P.  PINKERTON, 
Notary  Public. 
The  foregoing  statement  of  my  son,  Abraham  Clarke,  is  all  true. 

ISABELLA  CLARKE. 

From  a  correspondent  of  the  Topeka  (Kan.)  State  Record : — 

There  is  considerable  excitement  in  town  (Leavenworth)  just  now  over  the 
marvellous  doings  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  the  great  magnetic  healer.  He  is  stop- 
ping at  the  Planters',  has  two  rooms  and  a  private  secretary.  He  treats  all 
who  come  to  him,  and  only  takes  money  from  the  rich.  I  heard  so  much  of  his 
healing  that  I  went  to  the  Opera  House  this  morning  to  see  and  hear  for  myself. 
It  was  nearly  full  of  a  very  respectable  appearing  audience.  The  Doctor  is  a  man 
about  sixty  years  old,  of  portly  appearance,  with  gray  hair  and  whiskers.  He 
has  an  excellent  physique,  and  would  pass  anywhere  as  an  honest,  upright  man. 
After  talking  a  short  time,  explaining  his  mode  of  treatment,  which  is  purely 
magnetic,  he  proceeded  to  heal.  People  with  all  manner  of  diseases  came  for- 
ward and  were  treated,  and  went  off  apparently  satisfied.  Some  eight  or  ten 
were  cured  of  deafness,  among  them  Mrs.  Judge  Halderman.     The  most  affect- 


138  THE   MODERN    BETHESDA. 

ing  case  was  tnat  of  a  woman  who  had  been  totally  blind  for  three  years.  She 
lives  in  the  city,  and  is  well  known.  The  Doctor  told  her  that  he  thought  her  case 
was  past  cure,  but  she  insisted  upon  being  treated,  saying  that  she  had  heard  of 
him  and  had  faith  that  he  could  cure  her.  He  operated  upon  her  about  twenty 
minutes,  when  she  opened  her  eyes  and  a  white  film  that  had  gathered  upon 
them  came  off,  and  she  could  see  quite  plainly.  She  could  distinguish  the  au- 
dience and  other  things  around  her.  Her  little  boy,  about  10  years  old,  led  her 
to  the  house  when  she  came,  and  almost  the  first  thing  she  did  after  her  sight 
was  restored,  was  to  look  at  him  and  exclaim,  "  What  a  pretty  fellow  !  "  She  then 
hurried  home  to  see  five  more  children  that  she  had  not  seen  in  three  years.  I  am 
told  that  he  has  healed  to-day  at  his  rooms  a  woman  that  has  been  bedridden 
eleven  months,  and  that  she  walked  around  the  house,  and  got  into  the  wagon 
alone.  I  believe  that  he  is  to  stay  here  two  weeks  yet,  and  will  undoubtedly 
have  crowds  at  his  rooms.  X. 


HEALING   AT   A   DISTANCE.  1 39 


CHAPTER  XI. 

HEALING   AT   A    DISTANCE. 

The  Process  Explained  by  Dr.  Newton. — Cases  at  Chicago,  111. — At  Gouvemeur,  N.  Y. — 
At  Gallipolis,  O.— At  Ballston .  Spa,  N.  Y.— At  Broadhead,  Wis.— At  Ridgeway, 
Kan.— At  Claremont,  N.  H.— At  Waltham,  Mass.— At  Greenfield,  Mass.— At  St. 
Louis,  Mo,— At  Mt.  Washington,  Ky.— At  Kendall's  Mills,  Me.— At  Salt  Lake  City, 
Utah. — At  Swansea,  Mass. — At  Bunker  Hill,  111. — At  Gardiner,  Me. — At  Fulton,  N. 
Y.— At  Dorset,  Vt.— At  Fontana,  Kan.— At  Pen  Yan,  N.  Y.— At  La  Conner,  W.  T.— 
At  Seville,  Ohio.— At  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.— At  Guilford,  Vt.— At  East  Concord,  Vt. 

The  power  of  curing  disease  at  a  distance,  as  frequently  ex- 
erted by  and  through  Dr.  Newton,  is  not  only  very  remarkable,  but 
to  many  seems  quite  incredible.  Some  instances  have  already  been 
given  as  having  occurred  during  a  season  of  extraordinary  "  out- 
pouring "  of  healing  power  at  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  in  1864.  (See 
chap,  viii.)  The  mere  claim  that  such  a  power  could  be  exercised 
was,  and  still  is,  by  many  religious  people,  deemed  little  short  of 
blasphemy,  although  the  histories  of  Jesus  and  Paul  in  the  New 
Testament  giv^e  several  examples  of  such  power,  and  Jesus  ex- 
pressly said  that  those  who  believed  on  Him  should  do  the  works 
which  he  did,  and  even  greater.  (See  Mat.  viii.  13 ;  Jno.  iv.  50, 
51;  Luke  vii.  7,  10;  Acts  xix.  12;  Jno.  xiv.  12.)  This  is  suf- 
ficient to  show  that  the  author  of  Christianity  regarded  this  power 
as  resultant  from  a  general  law,  and  available  to  all  believers. 

But  its  reality  is  not  a  question  of  religion,  or  of  theology,  but  of 
fact,  capable  of  being  established  by  testimony.  And  so  abundant 
and  overwhelming  are  the  testimonies  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Newton, 
that  it  is  thought  proper  to  devote  an  entire  chapter  to  the  subject. 

First,  attention  is  invited  to  some  instructive  observations  on 
this  mode  of  healing  by  Dr.  Newton.     He  writes  : — 

"  I  learned  this  method  of  healing  from  the  teachings  and  works  of  Jesus.  In 
the  case  of  the  nobleman's  son,  he  said  to  the  father :  "  Go  thy  way,  thy  son 


140  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

liveth,"  and  at  the  same  hour  the  son  was  cured.  The  healing  power  must  have 
been  conveyed  to  the  son  simultaneously  with  these  words,  showing  that  there  is  a 
conductor  analagous  to  the  telegraph  wire,  on  which  the  magnetic  current  is 
transmitted.  This  power,  by  the  positive  action  of  the  mind  and  will,  may  be 
transmitted,  irrespective  of  distance,  to  any  person  or  place,  and  cures  effected 
through  its  agency,  as  readily  as  by  personal  contact.  Under  the  direction,  too, 
of  this  volition,  the  spirit  does  its  work,  imparting  direct  healing  influences 
through  the  mediumship  of  the  operator.  The  effects  are  often  marvellous.  A 
person  calls  on  me  and  says,  *  I  have  a  friend  who  is  ill.  Do  all  you  can  to  save 
him.'  I  take  his  hand  and  say,  '  Keep  your  mind  on  your  friend,  and  I  will, 
through  you,  give  him  a  pleasant  shock  as  from  an  electric  battery,  and  with  it 
his  disease  will  depart.* 

"  Sometimes  I  take  a  piece  of  cloth  or  garment  belonging  to  the  sick  person, 
and,  after  magnetizing  it,  say,  *  Take  this  and  place  it  on  the  person  of  your  sick 
friend,  after  which  he  will  rise,  walk  out  and  be  cured.' 

"  When  I  receive  a  telegram,  requesting  treatment,  I  hold  the  paper  in  my 
hand,  and,  concentrating  my  mind  on  the  person,  send  him  the  magnetic  influence 
and  will  for  the  disease  to  depart.  This  I  regard  as  the  most  remarkable 
feature  of  this  department  of  healing,  inasmuch  as  there  is  no  tangible  medium 
ot  communication  between  healer  and  patient,  and  it  shows  in  a  marked  manner 
the  power  of  the  spirit-forces,  with  whom  distance  is  as  nought. 

"  I  do  not  claim  to  effect  a  cure  in  all  cases  thus  presented  to  me,  nor  are  all 
cures  completed  in  one  treatment.  The  causes  of  failure,  however,  rest  oftener 
with  the  patient  than  with  myself.  The  power  is  strong  with  me  ;  I  impart  it  to 
the  patient.  If  he,  from  lack  of  faith  or  other  causes,  is  unreceptive,  the  effects 
may  in  a  measure  be  lost ;  but  if  he  puts  himself  in  an  attitude,  mentally  and 
spiritually,  to  receive  it,  physical  benefit  must  result. 

"  My  system  of  healing  by  magnetized  letters  is  the  surest  means  of  curing 
disease  at  a  distance,  as  it  affords  an  opportunity  for  repeated  treatments.  In 
my  public  practice  this  is  rendered  impracticable  by  the  amount  and  pressure  of 
business,  that  allows  me  only  time  to  throw  to  each  the  magnetic  current.  In 
treating  by  letter,  I  send  a  magnetized  letter  at  intervals  of  from  ten  days  to  two 
weeks,  as  the  case  may  require,  and  the  patient  request.  The  length  of  time  to 
perfect  the  cure  depends  upon  the  nature  of  the  disease  and  the  susceptibility 
of  the  patient  to  magnetic  and  spirit-influences.  In  some  cases  the  cause  is  re- 
moved at  once,  but  continued  treatment  is  desirable  to  aid  the  system  to  regain 
its  lost  strength  and  vitality.  In  others,  the  cure  is  begun,  and  under  the  influ- 
ence that  is  imparted  and  repeated  from  time  to  time,  the  vitalizing  and  renova- 
ting process  goes  on,  and  the  disease  is  gradually  eradicated.  Persons  slow  at 
first  to  effect  by  this  power  become  more  and  more  susceptible  to  it,  and  the 
most  obstinate  diseases  yield  to  persistent  effort." 

A  few  statements  of  cures  performed  by  Dr.  Newton  at  a  dis- 
tance, voluntarily  given  by  the  parties  cured,  or  from  personal 
knowledge  by  others,  are  here  presented  to  the  reader  : — 


HEALING   AT    A    DISTANCE.  I4I 

CASE  OF  MRS.  GARFIELD,  OF  CHICAGO. 

Boston,  April  i6th,  1861. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  : 

Dear  Friend^ — It  may  interest  you  to  have  in  writing  a  statement  of  the 
wonderful  case  of  healing  a  sick  lady  at  the  distance  of  1,000  miles,  which  has 
lately  occurred  through  your  influence.  On  the  2d  of  this  month,  I  called  on  you 
with  a  letter  from  a  friend  at  Chicago,  enclosing  a  description  of  a  case  of  great 
suffering  of  a  Mrs.  Garfield  there,  by  **  convulsive  fits,  preceded  and  followed  by 
intense  anguish,"  which  has  for  years  baffled  the  skill  of  many  of  the  most  ex- 
perienced physicians. 

You  spoke  of  the  case  of  a  lady  in  Virginia  you  had  lately  cured,  although 
she  was  five  hundred  miles  distant,  and  proposed  to  take  my  hands  and  attempt 
to  restore  her,  although  I  had  no  other  knowledge  of  the  sufferer  than  was  con- 
tained in  the  papers  I  then  held  in  my  hands,  never  having  seen  her.  In  a  few 
minutes  you  remarked  that  she  was  cured, — that  her  mental  and  physical  condi- 
tion was  so  much  better  that  instant,  that  she  would  probably  make  some  note 
of  the  time.  I  noted  it  7.37  p.m.,  April  2d.  I  have  now  a  letter  from  Chicago 
dated  6th  April,  stating  that  on  the  2d  Mr.  G.,  the  husband,  left  home  and  re- 
turned the  next  day,  when  he  was  surprised  at  the  improved  appearance  and 
apparent  happiness  of  his  wife,  and  found  that  on  the  2d,  a  little  after  7  p.m., 
Chicago  time,  his  wife  experienced  a  change  or  improvement  in  her  mental  and 
physical  sensations  of  so  marked  a  character  as  to  elicit  a  long  conversation  be- 
tween herself  and  mother-in-law  on  the  subject  of  her  remarkable  change,  which 
caused  them  much  surprise. 

"  G.  was  filled  with  joy  at  finding  her  so  cheerful  and  happy;  says  she  has 
not  been  so  well  and  free  from  pain  for  years  as  she  has  been  since  the  evening 
of  the  2d.     That  day  will  be  long  remembered  by  at  least  three  grateful  ones." 

It  should  be  noted  that  in  this  case  "  imagination  "  could  not  be  exercised  on 
the  part  of  the  patient  at  that  time,  as  it  was  not  known  at  Chicago  that  you  ever 
attempted  affecting  people  at  a  distance. 

I  have  a  letter  dated  the  nth,  stating,  "Mrs.  G.  continues  to  improve  con-, 
stantly." 

Very  respectfully  and  truly, 

EDW.  L.  BAKER. 

CASES  AT  GOUVERNEUR,  N.  Y. 

GouvERNEUR,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  1st,  1867. 
The  following  cases  I  know  were  cured  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  at  the  distance 
of  hundreds  of  miles  :  Climena  Hall,  wife  of  Rev.  B.  Hall,  of  Gouverneu'r,  oper- 
ated on  by  Dr.  N.  while  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  through  her  husband,  who  visited  Dr. 
N.  in  the  spring  of  1867. 

Also  his  son,  B.  Hall,  jr.,  who  in  the  same  manner  was  cured  of  a  distressing 
disease  of  the  kidneys,  of  a  number  of  years  standing.  Also,  Mrs.  Ann  Hall,  of 
catarrh  of  long  standing. 

G.  SWAN,  M.  D. 


142  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

GouvERNEUR,  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  3d,  1867. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  : 

Dear  Sir, — May  God  bless  you  !  The  young  lady  you  operated  on  through 
me  is  cured.  She  is  now  25  years  of  age,  has  been  confined  to  her  bed  for  nearly 
eight  years.  She  weighed  120  lbs.  when  well.  She  is  now  so  emaciated  that  she 
does  not  weigh  over  60;  her  limbs  were  so  contracted  that  she  could  not  touch 
her  feet  to  the  floor.  She  felt  your  influence  at  the  time  you  operated,  and  spoke 
of  it  to  her  sisters,  and  commenced  straightening  her  limbs,  and  felt  an  almost 
irresistible  desire  to  get  off  from  her  bed  and  walk,  but  did  not.  I  saw  her  this 
morning  and  told  her  that  she  was  cured,  that  she  could  walk  without  any  as- 
sistance. She  left  her  bed  immediately,  and  is  now  walking  about  the  house  to 
the  wonder,  astonishment,  and  inexpressible  joy  of  us  all.  Let  God  be  praised 
and  his  glories  shine  forth  !  G.  SWAN,   M.  D. 

Dr.  Newton  : — The  above  statement  of  Dr.  Swan  is  in  all  respects  true.  I 
was  as  conscious  of  your  influence  at  the  time  you  were  operating  on  me  as  I  ever 
was  of  any  thing  in  my  life,  and  told  my  sister  so,  though  I  did  not  know  at  the 
time  that  Dr.  Swan  had  gone  to  see  you. 

MARTHA  L.  BARNHAM. 

The  above  statements  of  Dr.  Swan  and  my  daughter,  Martha  L.  Barnham, 
are  no  more  wonderful  than  true,  and  if  required  I  would  be  willing  to  testify  it 
to  the  whole  world.  Dr.  Swan  resides  at  a  distance  of  eight  miles  from  us,  and 
purposely  kept  from  us  the  knowledge  of  his  visit  to  you,  in  order,  as  he  says,  that 
he  might  test  your  power  of  making  your  influence  felt  at  a  distance. 

OSSIAN  L.  BARNHAM. 

P.  S. — You  also  cured  at  the  same  time  and  way  my  daughter  Ella,  of  catarrh, 
a  disease  that  she  has  been  afflicted  with  since  childhood. 

G.  SWAN,  M.  D. 

CASES  AT  GALLIPOLIS,  O. 
A  marked  instance  of  this  power  occurred  tlirough  the  agency  of 
Henry  Viner,  Esq.,  of  Gallipolis,  Ohio.  He  came  to  Dr.  Newton 
at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  bringing  with  him  a  carpet-bag  full  of  garments 
from  many  persons  desiring  to  be  healed.  These  the  Doctor  took, 
and  treated  the  owner  of  each  separately.  When  this  was  done, 
Mr.  Viner  said,  "  I  have  another  sick  friend,  a  Doctor  Elliott,  but 
have  nothing  belonging  to  him.  His  case  is  consumption.  I  am 
afraid  that  you  can  do  nothing  for  him."  *'Yes,  I  can.  I  can 
cure  him,"  said  Dr.  N.,  and  taking  Mr.  V.'s  hand,  he  said,  "  I  give 
him  a  powerful  shock,  and  with  it  his  disease  will  be  instantly 
cured  ;  he  is  now  walking  in  the  street,  and  will  be  fully  conscious 
of  the  cure.  He  will  see  a  hand  as  plainly  as  I  now  see  my  own 
(outstretched),  and  think  he  has  seen  a  vision."     Some  ten  days 


HEALING   AT   A    DISTANCE.  I43 

after  a  letter  was  received  from  Mr.  Viner,  from  which  the  follow- 
ing extract  is  made  : — 

"  Gallipolis,  Oct.  3d,  1867. 
"My  Dear  Sir, — I  take  pleasure  in  informing  you  that  I  arrived  home  well 
and  found  my  wife  much  better.  She  cannot  express  her  thanks  and  joy  for 
your  kind  relief.  I  went  to  seethe  colored  woman  and  found  her  cured.  All 
the  rest  are  cured,  or  much  benefited.  I  also  have  seen  Dr.  Elliott.  lie  saw 
the  hand  while  walking  in  the  street.  He  knew  that  he  was  cured,  and  thought 
it  a  heavenly  vision.  This  was  at  the  same  moment  that  you  operated  on  him 
through  me ;  and  the  vision  and  cure  were  noised  through  the  town  before  I 
reached  home.  _^Ve  all  thank  God  for  your  power,  and  you  for  your  kind  effort 
to  CMTfi>^S^^^^LF^^^^!SBf^jaorQ  than  realized. 

"  Respectfully  yours, 

"  HENRY  VINER." 

ALLSTON  SPA,  N.  Y. 

"  Ballston  Spa,  Oct.  i8th,  1867. 
rSTSv-  The  treatment  of  my  son  and  daughter  at  a  distance,  last 
week,  resulted  like  a  charm.  Both  were  cured.  My  son  was  low  with  inflam- 
matory rheumatism.  You  stated  that  the  next  day  at  four  o'clock  he  would  be 
cured  and  able  to  walk,  which  he  had  not  done  for  two  weeks.  At  that  time, 
without  any  known  cause  to  him,  he  was  surprised  with  an  instantaneous  change ; 
left  his  bed  and  walked  to  the  mill,  of  which  he  was  overseer,  and  has  continued 
well,  and  up  to  this  moment  is  not  aware  of  our  interview  or  what  cured  him. 
"  Yours,  very  gratefully, 

"  E.  COMSTOCK." 

CASE  AT  BROADHEAD,   WIS. 

Dr.  Newton  received  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Sarah  Bump,  of  Broad- 
head,  Green  River  Co.,  Wisconsin,  inquiring  if  he  was  coming 
West ;  stating  that  she  had  been  bedridden  three  years,  and  had 
faith  that  if  she  could  but  touch  the  hem  of  his  garment  she  should 
be  cured.  On  reading  the  letter,  he  immediately  cut  off  a  piece  of 
his  coat  and  pinned  it  on  a  sheet  of  paper,  with  these  words  :  **  You 
shall  be  cured,"  written  upon  the  paper.  This  he  magnetized  and 
sent  to  her  by  mail,  and  received  the  following  letter  in  reply  : — 

"  Broadhead,  May  9th, 

"  My  Dear  Sir, — Your  letter  was  received  May  3d.     It  brought  the  joyful 

news  that  I  should  be  cured.     It  also  brought  the  hem  of  the  garment,  and  I  was 

cured ;  and   there  was  such  a  time  of  rejoicing  as  you  scarcely  ever  saw.     The 

influence  reached  me  before  the  letter,  and  I  began  to  mend.    The  magnetism  in 


144  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

the  cloth  completed  the  cure,  and  I  am  now  well.  The  neighbors  are  perfectly 
astonished,  and  do  not  know  what  to  make  of  it.  We  all  send  our  thanks  and 
best  wishes,  and  pray  that  you  may  ever  have  help  from  on  high. 

"Your  friend,  SARAH  BUMP." 

Although  a  poor  woman,  Mrs.  Bump  came  to  Springfield,  Mass., 
a  distance  of  a  thousand  miles,  expressly  to  thank  the  Doctor  in 
person. 

CASE  AT  RIDGEWAY,  KAN. 

[Extract from  a  letter  to  Dr.  Newton.) 

"  RiDGEWAY,  Kansas,  June  i,  1875. 
"My  Dear  Sir, — Your  letter  of  June,  187 1,  cured  me  of  asthma,  from  which 
I  have  since  been  entirely  free. 

"  Yours  truly, 

"HIRAM  REILLY." 

In  regard  to  the  above  case,  Hon.  James  Rogers  writes,  from 
Burlingame,  Kan.,  July  15th,  1878,  as  follows  : — 

"  In  the  message  department  of  the  Banner  of  Light  of  November  17th,  1877, 
I  find  a  singular  communication  from  Hiram  Riley,  formerly  an  old  resident  of 
Osage  County.  I  knew  him  well  for  twenty  years.  From  my  first  acquaintance 
with  him  he  wanted  to  believe  in  Spiritualism.  Up  to  five  years  before  his 
decease  he  had  been  for  many  years  an  invalid,  suffering  with  the  worst  form  of 
periodic  asthma.  On  application  of  his  daughter.  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  gratuitously 
sent  him  a  magnetized  letter.  It  reached  him  during  an  alarming  attack,  in  which 
he  had  not  lain  down  or  slept  for  forty-eight  hours.  Upon  reading  the  letter  he 
immediately  fell  asleep,  and  slept  for  nearly  eighteen  hours  in  his  chair.  When 
he  awoke  he  was  entirely  cured,  and  so  remained  up  to  a  few  days  before  his 
death.  He  died  of  a  fever  about  two  and  one-half  years  ago.  Shortly  before  his 
death  he  told  me  that  his  being  healed  was  '  a  greater  miracle  than  was  ever  per- 
formed by  Jesus  Christ.'  '  I  always  doubted  the  truth  of  Spiritualism  before  this, 
but  I  know  it  now,'  said  he.  His  whole  family  and  his  own  neighbors  can  testify 
to  much  more  than  I  have  written.  They  will  tell :  *  How  he  was  healed  we  do 
not  know,  but  that  for  years  he  was  an  invalid,  and  suffered  terribly,  and  that  he 
is  now  well  we  do  know.  He  is  of  age  ;  he  can  speak  for  himself.'  His  family 
recognize  the  communication  as  genuine  in  every  particular." 

CASE  AT  CLAREMONT,  N.  H. 

"  Mrs.  Hannah  Chadwick,  of  Claremont,  N.  H.,  bedridden  four  months  and 
apparently  past  help,  was  cured  instantly  by  a  magnetized  letter,  so  as  to  resume 
her  household  duties  in  a  few  davs." 


HEALING   AT   A   DISTANCE.  I4S 

CASE  AT  WALTHAM,  MASS. 

"  Mrs.  Mary  Collins*  child,  Waltham,  Mass.,  had  a  severe  attack  of  brain 
fever;  had  not  rested  or  slept  but  little  for  three  weeks,  and  three  physicians  had 
said  there  was  no  help  for  it.  Dr.  Newton  sent  a  piece  of  magnetized  cloth,  to 
be  put  around  the  child's  head,  and  in  twenty  minutes  thereafter  it  was  asleep, 
and  in  a  day  or  two  quite  well." 

CASES  AT  GREENFIELD,  MASS. 

"  Greenfield,  Mass.,  June  24,  1874. 
"Dr.  J.  R.  Newton, — You  saved  my  life  three  years  ago,  by  treating  me  at  a 
distance.     You  also  cured  my  sister,  Mrs.  Hannah  AVhitaker,  of  a  large  rose 
cancer.     We  will  ever  bless  you.  SARAH  H.  PUTNAM." 

CASE  AT  ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 
(From  the  Banner  of  Light.) 

Mrs.  Nancy  T.  Acks,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  sends  us  the  following  account  of  two 
remarkable  cures  that  have  been  performed  on  her  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton.  These, 
she  says,  are  known  to  and  can  be  corroborated  by  "  hundreds  of  respectable 
citizens  in  that  vicinity."     Here  is  her  statement : 

"  Messrs.  Editors  : — I  feel  it  my  duty  to  write  you  of  a  cure  performed  on  me 
in  the  '  Home  of  the  Friendless  '  for  widows.  I  am  sixty  years  old  ;  have  been 
an  inmate  here  seven  years.  I  came  to  this  Home  bent  over  with  rheumatism. 
Up  to  Dec,  1866,  I  was  never  free  from  pain.  I  then  took  a  slight  cold,  hoarse- 
ness and  loss  of  voice  followed,  and  finally  a  partial  paralysis  of  the  vocal  organs 
and  heart  disease  set  in.  The  family  physician  exerted  himself  to  restore  me,  and 
finally  pronounced  me  liable  to  fall  dead  at  any  moment.  I  continued  to  grow 
worse  ;  a  noise  would  cause  me  to  drop  insensible.  I  consulted  other  physicians, 
tried  the  battery  and  magnetic  doctors,  and  received  no  permanent  benefit  until 
December,  1867,  when  a  relative  of  Dr.  Newton  ^and  my  friend)  reported  my 
disease  to  him.  While  visiting  in  St.  Louis  a  few  hours,  he  called  forme  at  this 
Home,  and  told  me  he  had  come  to  restore  my  voice.  In  two  minutes  I  could 
talk  aloud  ;  I  left  the  matron  whispering  and  scarce  alive,  and  returned  to  her  in 
less  time  than  I  can  write  you,  erect,  animated,  talking.  The  change  was  so 
great  she  exclaimed,  '  Who  are  you  }  I  don't  know  you  ! '  (This  matron  came 
here  after  I  lost  my  voice.  I  was  nearly  one  year  whispering.)  I  enjoyed  more 
perfect  health  than  I  had  for  many  years  until  April,  1870,  when  I  took  another 
cold  from  exposure,  and  lost  my  voice  as  before  ;  used  all  kinds  of  remedies,  and 
gradually  grew  worse  ;  my  nervous  system  a  wreck  ;  my  head  continually  shaking. 
I  wrote  to  Dr.  Newton  [in  Boston]  for  advice.  He  sent  me  a  magnetic  current 
in  the  letter,  and  told  me  after  I  read  it  I  could  talk  aloud.  I  received  the  letter 
on  the  i6th,  at  11  o'clock.     I  had  no  faith  it  would  help  me ;  I  read  it  often  until 

10 


146  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

four  o'clock,  and  was  studying  over  how  I  could  go  to  the  Doctor,  when  a  friend 
came  in  and  I  answered  her  question  aloud.  There  was  a  second  time  joy  in 
the  Home,  with  many  congratulations  and  caresses,  for  our  family  numbers  forty. 
I,  the  happiest  of  them  all,  have  whispered  seven  months.  My  burden  is  taken 
away ;  I  feel  a  new  person ;  walk  erect,  and  talk  again.  Thanks  !  thanks  !  to  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton  and  the  angels  that  minister  unto  him  and  the  afflicted ! " 

CASE  AT  MT.  WASHINGTON,  KY. 
(From  the  same.) 

An  Astonishing  Cure. — I  am  a  German,  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with 
the  English  language  to  write  it  correctly,  but,  nevertheless,  I  consider  myself 
bound  to  give  an  account  of  the  most  wonderful  cure  of  my  wife,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Wedding,  through  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  [then  in  Boston,  Mass.],  for  the  benefit  of 
the  suffering  and  afflicted  in  general. 

Thirteen  years  ago,  my  wife  had  the  misfortune  to  fall,  and  ever  since  that 
time  she  has  been  afflicted  with  spasms  of  a  most  dangerous  and  painful  character. 
I  employed  a  number  of  doctors  in  Cincinnati  and  Louisville,  but  none  were  able 
to  cure  her.  They  could  relieve  her  somewhat  of  the  pains,  and  even  stop  the 
spasms  momentarily,  but  they  could  not  stop  them  entirely.  Since  the  last  five 
months  she  has  had  those  horrible  spasms  more  violent  and  oftener  than  ever. 

The  week  after  last  Christmas  she  was  so  low  that  I,  all  our  friends,  and  even 
the  doctor  had  given  up  all  hope. 

At  this  time  our  kind  friend.  Prof.  C.  Kropp,  read  in  the  Banner  of  Light  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton's  astonishing  cure  of  Mrs.  Acks,  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  he  at  once 
concluded  to  write  to  the  Doctor  for  advice,  and  asked  if  he  would  undertake  to 
cure  her.  To  secure  an  answer  he  enclosed  $2.00.  He  received  the  answer 
promptly,  in  which  he  was  directed  to  go  and  read  the  letter  to  the  aflflicted  lady, 
and  to  use  the  Doctor's  own  words  in  his  letter :  "  And  after  reading  it  to  her 
she  will  say,  '  Let  God  be  praised,  for  I  believe  I  am  cured  ! '  and  she  is  cured." 
The  letter  was  read  to  my  wife — I  must  confess  with  very  little  confidence  on  our 
side — but  she  did  say  :  "  Let  God  be  praised,  for  I  believe  I  am  cured  !  "  and  she 
was  cured  from  that  very  minute.  Her  pains  left  her,  her  appetite  aroused,  her 
strength  grew  daily,  and  her  appearance  is  now  that  of  a  healthy  person.  It  is 
now  three  weeks  since  the  letter  was  received  and  the  amazing  change  took  place. 
She  has  had  neither  spasms  or  pains ;  while  before  she  had  the  spasms  every  day, 
and  the  pains  never  left  her.  This  fact  gives  us  hope,  and  we  trust  in  God  that 
this  dreadful  disease  is  at  last  thoroughly  cured,  and  will  never  return. 

Who  knows  of  a  cure  like  this  one,  since  the  time  that  Jesus  said  to  the 
Centurion  of  Capernaum,  as  stated  in  St.  Matthew,  viii :  13  :  "Go  thy  way  :  and 
as  thou  hast  believed,  so  be  it  done  unto  thee.  And  his  servant  was  healed  the 
self-same  hour  ? " 

Thousands  of  thanks  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  who  has  given  back  to  me,  through 
the  aid  of  God  and  the  holy  angels,  a  dearly  beloved  wife,  and  to  my  five  children 
a  good  and  kind  mother.     We  all  pray  to  God  to  increase  Dr.  N.'s  wonderful 


HEALING    AT    A    DISTANCE.  I47 

power  of  healing,  and  grant  him  a  long  and  happy  life,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
poor  and  the  suffering. 

N.B. — The  money  sent  by  Prof.  Kropp  was  returned  by  the  Doctor  as  a  pres- 
ent for  my  wife.     May  God  reward  him.  J.  H.  WEDDING. 

Mount  Washington,  Ky.,  [1870]. 


CASE  AT  KENDALL'S  MILLS,  ME. 

(From  the  Banner  of  Light.) 

I  find  that  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  has  left  his  mark  in  almost  every  town  and  city,  in 
the  way  of  remarkable  cures.  It  is  gratifying  to  find  these  landmarks  on  the  way, 
and  that  they  are  household  words.  I  found  several  such  cases  in  Bangor, 
Waterville  and  Augusta.  There  is  one  of  such  striking  character  at  Kendall's 
Mills,  which  never  has  been  printed,  that  I  think  it  should  be  placed  on  record, 
as  I  doubt  if  even  Dr.  Newton  himself  is  knowing  to  it  I  will  give  it  as  I  re- 
ceived it  from  J.  F.  Nye,  Esq.,  a  Methodist  in  belief,  and  sheriff  of  the  county, 
and  perfectly  reliable,  and  corroborated  by  others.  A  young  lady  injured  her 
fingers  so  badly  that  for  three  years  they  were  drawn  up  in  position  as  they  would 
be  when  the  hand  is  shut.  Some  one  suggested  to  her  that  she  had  better  send 
a  lock  of  her  hair  to  Dr.  Newton  and  see  what  he  could  do  for  her  at  a  distance  ; 
but  she  decided  to  send  her  ring  which  she  had  worn.  Soon  afterwards,  while 
she  was  about  the  house,  her  fingers  commenced  to  straighten,  and  m  a  short 
time  became  natural,  and  remained  so.  She  was  frightened  when  they  com- 
menced to  straighten,  as  she  had  forgotten  that  she  had  sent  the  ring  to  the 
Doctor,  but  her  friends  suggested  that  it  was  the  effect  of  his  subtle  magnetic  in- 
fluence at  work,  which  proved  to  be  the  case.  I  give  you  this  case  as  proof  of 
healing  at  a  distance.  Dr.  A.  S.  HAYWARD. 

CASE  AT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH. 
(From  Salt  Lake  Tribune,  Oct:,  1872.) 

Dr.  Newton. — Yesterday  afternoon  Dr.  Newton  manipulated  about  100  per- 
sons afflicted  with  various  diseases,  many  of  whom  testified  to  having  received 
relief.  One  case  especially  is  worthy  of  mention  ;  it  was  that  of  a  man  who  had 
been  prostrated  for  the  past  48  hours  with  excruciating  pains  in  the  head.  Not 
being  able  to  come  in  person  he  sent  an  article  of  linen  by  another  man.  The  Doc- 
tor took  both  the  linen  and  the  hand  of  the  person  who  brought  it  together  between 
his  two  hands,  first  telling  the  party  referred  to  that  his  friend  would  feel  a  mag- 
netic shock  as  soon  as  he  should  give  it,  and  by  that  means  he  would  be  instantly 
healed.  Pulling  out  his  watch  he  noted  the  time  and  informed  the  proxy  man 
accordingly ;  then  gave  the  "  shock,"  telling  the  party  at  the  same  time  to  go 
immediately  to  the  sick  person  and  ascertain  the  facts,  and  return  and  relate  them 
for  the  benefit  of  the  audience  present.  The  man  retired,  and  in  about  half  an 
hour  returned  to  thank  the  Doctor  in  the  name  of  his  friend,  stating  that  the  cure 


14^  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

was  effected  as  described  by  Dr.  Newton  beforehand.  Several  cases  of  acute 
pain  and  deafness  were  successfully  treated,  according  to  the  testimony  of  the 
patients. 

CASE  AT  SWANSEA,  MASS. 
(From  the  Providence  Morning  Herald.) 

Editors  of  the  Morning  Herald  :— Allow  me  to  state  for  the  benefit  of 
the  public  the  result  of  a  case  of  healing  at  a  distance,  undertaken  by  Dr. 
Newton,  at  Remington  Hall,  Sunday,  May  lo.  Having  operated  upon  many  in 
the  hall,  he  said  he  would  heal  at  a  distance,  if  any  person  present  had  friends 
whom  they  desired  to  have  relieved.  Among  those  who  came  forward  was 
Mrs.  Joseph  Simmons,  saying  that  she  had  a  sister  in  Swansea  very  sick,  whom 
she  wished  might  be  healed.  Dr.  Newton  took  her  hands  and  said  he  would 
send  a  shock  to  the  lady  in  Swansea,  and  declared  that  she  would  be  benefited  at 
once.  The  distance  was  twelve  miles.  The  time  between  eleven  and  twelve 
o'clock. 

Last  evening  I  saw  Mr.  Simmons,  who  told  me  that  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
loth,  he  and  Mrs.  Simmons  went  to  Swansea  to  see  the  sister,  Mrs.  Ruth  Eddy, 
who  had  been  operated  upon  in  the  forenoon  from  Remington  Hall ;  they  found 
her  very  much  better.  She  said  she  began  to  feel  better  towards  noon,  and 
wished  to  get  up,  but  did  not.  Mrs.  Simmons  then  said  to  her,  •'  Come,  get  up 
now."  The  lady  replied  that  she  did  not  think  she  could,  but  soon  made  the 
effort,  rose,  dressed  herself,  and  walked  around  the  room,  with  a  little  assistance, 
declaring  that  she  felt  better.  She  remained  up  more  than  three  hours,  sat  at 
the  table  and  took  tea  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simmons,  and  has  been  quite  comfort- 
able about  the  house  every  day  since,  and  yesterday  rode  out.  Previous  to  the 
loth  she  had  not  sat  up  for  three  months,  only  to  have  her  bed  made,  and  this 
with  difficulty.  It  may  be  well  to  state  that  on  the  evening  of  the  9th,  Saturday, 
Mrs.  Simmons  received  word  that  her  sister  was  failing,  and  probably  could  live 
only  a  short  time. 

Such  are  the  facts  in  this  case  which,  at  the  time,  attracted  great  attention, 
and  about  which  many  the  past  week  have  interrogated  me.  To  satisfy  the  many 
who  have  desired  to  know  what  might  be  the  result,  will  you  have  the  kindness 
to  publish  this  communication.  WILLIAM  FOSTER,  Jr. 

CASE  AT  BUNKER  HILL,  ILL. 

Mary  E.  Drummond,  of  Bunker  Hill,  111.,  applied  by  letter, 
through  Mr.  J.  R.  Monroe  of  that  place,  to  Dr.  Newton  for  aid, 
after  her  case  was  considered  hopeless  by  other  physicians.  Dr. 
N.  sent  her  a  magnetized  letter — with  what  effect  her  own  state- 
ment will  show.  She  says,  in  a  letter  published  in  the  Banfier  of 
Light.— 


HEALING   AT   A   DISTANCE.  I49 

"  I  had  been  sick  two  years  and  two  months  before  I  heard  of  Dr.  Newton. 
Was  first  taken  with  typhoid  fever  and  inflammatory  rheumatism.  Two  doctors 
called  my  disease  typhoid,  and  one  a  slow  fever — two  doctors  said  the  bone  of  my 
leg  was  not  affected  ;  one  said  it  was,  and  a  piece  of  the  bone  was  taken  out  by 
a  surgeon.  My  leg  was  getting  along  nicely,  but  I  could  not  walk  without  a  crutch, 
and  was  crooked,  could  not  straighten  up,  and  had  severe  attacks  of  pain  in  my 
left  arm,  and  had  to  sit  night  and  day  in  a  chair.  For  months  I  could  not  raise 
my  hand  to  my  head  ;  my  spine  was  crooked,  and  is  now  straight,  and  in  three 
days  after  I  received  Dr.  Newton's  letter  I  could  walk  about  and  had  no  more 
pain.  Many  thanks  to  Dr.  Newton  and  Mr.  Monroe,  who  wrote  for  me  and  got 
the  Doctor  interested." 


CASE  AT  GARDINER,  ME. 

Frank  Plaisted,  of  Gardiner,  Maine,  telegraphed  to  Dr.  Newton  in  Boston, 
"  Baby  is  sick — do  what  you  can  to  save  him."  On  receipt  of  the  telegram,  the 
Doctor  operated  at  once  on  the  child,  and  wrote  by  post :  "  I  this  instant,  7.45 
P.M.,  throw  a  shock  to  your  child.  He  will,  open  his  eyes,  smile,  and  be  cured." 
A  letter  written  the  same  evening,  stated:  "Baby  is  cured.  He  suddenly 
began  to  perspire,  soon  opened  his  eyes,  smiled  on  us,  and  is,  I  feel,  entirely 
cured.  He  had  lain  in  an  unconscious  state  twenty-four  hours,  and  we  had  but 
the  smallest  hope  of  his  recovery." 

The  following  was  narrated  by  Dr.  Newton  in  a  letter  to  a 
friend,  dated  Nov.  2,  1869  : — 


CASE  IN  FULTON,  N.  Y. 

"  While  healing  in  Syracuse,  New  York,  a  stranger  asked  me  if  I  would  go  to 
Fulton  and  cure  his  wife,  who  had  been  sick  for  years,  and  unable  to  sit  up  for 
six  months.  I  told  him  that  I  could  cure  her  without  seeing  her,  as  well  as  to  go 
there  ;  and  taking  his  right  hand,  I  said,  '  Keep  your  thought  upon  your  wife  ;  I 
will  give  her  a  shock  like  an  electric  battery,  and  with  it  her  disease  will  instantly 
leave ;  she  will  arise  perfectly  well,  dress  herself,  call  a  witness,  and  note  the 
precise  time,  then  walk  out  of  doors.  When  you  arrive  home,  she  will  meet  you 
at  the  door,  and  say,  "  Nathan,  I  am  well."  That  is  your  name.'  *Yes,'  said 
he,  '  my  name  is  Nathan  Rowlee.'  I  had  never  seen  him  but  a  few  moments, 
and  never  heard  his  name  before  I  called  it.  This  was  on  Tuesday.  I  lectured 
in  Oswego  the  next  Sunday,  when  Mrs.  Rowlee  appeared  in  the  audience,  and 
came  upon  the  platform,  and  related  the  wonder  of  her  cure ;  said  she  had  never 
heard  of  healing  at  a  distance  before ;  that  she  received  a  powerful  shock,  and 
felt  she  was  cured ;  she  arose,  noted  the  day  and  hour,  and  called  a  woman  to 
witness  what  appeared  to  her  a  miracle.  The  cure  took  place  precisely  at  the 
same  time  that  I  eliminated  the  influence  through  her  husband,  and  every  word 


150  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

that  was  toia  him  was  verified  by  her.     She  came  eleven  miles  to  make  a  public 
statement  of  the  facts,  unsolicited."* 

The  following  from  Prof.  S.  P.  Cheney,  of  Sacramento,  Cal.,  was 
addressed  to  the  editor  of  this  volume  : — 


CASE  AT  DORSET,  VT. 

Sacramento,  California,  Aug.  13^  1875. 

A.  E.  Newton,  Esq. : — I  send  you  the  following  for  publication  : 

On  the  loth  of  Sept.,  1871  (at  Dorset,  Vt.),  I  was  taken  with  a  most  severe 
sickness,  occasioned  by  over-work  at  farming.  I  was  prostrated,  and  endured 
great  suffering  for  many  months. 

About  New  Year's,  I  could  hold  a  pencil  and  write  a  few  words  at  a  time  ; 
and  in  that  way  I  wrote  a  letter  to  Dr.  A.  B.  Child,  of  Boston,  where  Dr.  Newton 
then  was,  giving  him  some  account  of  my  case,  and  asking  him  if  he  would  ad- 
vise me  to  go  to  see  Dr.  Newton,  in  case  I  should  ever  be  able  to  ride  so  far. 
He  wrote  me  in  about  these  words :  "  Helen  and  I  have  held  a  prayer-meeting 
over  your  case,  and  advise  you  to  remain  at  home.  You  can  as  well  be  helped 
there  as  here.  But  tell  me  more  about  yourself."  I  wrote  again,  giving  some 
particulars,  which  took  me,  I  think,  three  days. 

That  letter  he  took  to  Dr.  Newton  and  read  it  to  him.  They  then  agreed 
that  I  could  and  must  be  helped.  Dr.  Newton  wrote  on  a  large  card,  "  Mr.  S- 
P.  Cheney,  Dear  Sir,  God  and  angels  bless  you,  and  you  are  healed  from  this 
hour.     Boston,  Tuesday  evening,  half-past  seven,  Jan.  7,  187 1,    J.  R.  Newton." 

At  the  very  hour  these  good  men  were  in  this  consultation  in  Boston,  as 
was  proved  two  days  after  by  their  letters,  I  was  walking  in  my  dining-room  in 
Dorset,  Vt.,  feeling  that  I  never  could  smile  again  on  earth ;  there  came  over  me 

*  The  editor  has  received  the  following  corroborative  letter  from  Mr.  Rowlee,  relative  to  this 
remarkable  case : — 

"  Fulton,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  20,  1875. 

•'  A.  E.  Newton,  Sir  : — The  statement  of  my  wife's  sickness  and  cure  which  has  come  under 
your  observation,  is  for  the  most  part  true.  An  error  was  made  in  stating  that  she  was  bedridden. 
She  had  been  sick  for  years,  unable  to  do  her  work,  and  for  six  months  before  her  cure  had  been 
confined  to  her  bed.  I  went  to  Syracuse,  hoping  to  get  the  Doctor  to  come  and  see  her  at  my 
house  ;  but  he  rendered  that  unnecessary  by  curing  her  then  and  there.  He  said  to  me,  '  Your 
wife  says,  "  I  am  being  cured  by  Dr.  Newton,  through  Nathan."  *  I  was  surprised  to  hear  him 
call  my  name,  and  I  said,  'Everybody  calls  me  Nate.'  He  replied,  'Your  wife  doesn't,' 
which  was  very  true. 

"  At  the  same  time  my  wife  was  lying  on  her  couch,  and  said,  looking  up  at  her  attendant,  *  Lina, 
I  am  being  cured  by  Dr.  Newton,  through  Nathan.  What  time  is  it  ? '  and  soon  arose  and  walked 
into  the  dining-room.  This  was  on  either  Wednesday  or  Thursday  ;  and  the  next  Sunday  she 
rode  with  me  in  a  buggy  to  Oswego,  a  distance  of  eleven  miles.  This  occurred  in  the  year  1867. 
She  has  been  as  well  ever  since  as  one  can  be,  except  when  she  does  two  days*  work  in  one  : 
then,  of  course,  she  has  to  pay  the  penalty  which  Nature  has  demanded  for  all  infringements  of  her 
laws.  Respectfully  yours, 

'*  N.  Rowlee." 


HEALING    AT    A    DISTANCE.  I5I 

a  most  sudden,  wonderful  and  pleasing  sensation,  which  gave  me  this  distinct 
thought, — "  /  shall  get  well !  *'  I  stood  for  a  moment,  then  turned  about  and 
spoke  to  my  sister-in-law,  saying,  "  I  have  not  felt  so  much  like  getting  well  since 
I  was  taken  sick  as  I  do  at  this  moment^  "  What  makes  you  say  so  ?"  she  in- 
quired.    "  Because  I  feel  so,"  was  my  reply. 

And  that  night,  my  right  wrist  that  was  badly  swollen  and  a  hideous-looking 
thing,  and  had  been  so  for  more  than  three  months,  all  the  while  very  painful — 
and  which  had  withstood  constaitt  applications  of  many  kinds — was  relieved ;  and 
in  the  morning  the  swelling  was  gone,  and  it  came  no  more.  I  "  thanked  God 
and  took  courage,"  and  the  next  day,  when  I  got  the  letter,  I  thanked  Dr.  Child 
and  Dr.  Newton,  and  thanked  God  again  ;  and  as  the  angels  were  said  to  have 
taken  a  part  in  the  work,  I  thanked  them  too. 

At  this  moment  I  think  I  am  grateful  to  the  very  bottom  of  my  heart  for  this 
wonderful  experience  in  my  body  and  in  my  soul. 

Yours  for  the  truth,  wherever  and  in  -whomsoever  it  may  be  found. 

SIMON  P.  CHENEY. 


The  following  appeared  recently  in  the  Banner  of  Light  :- 


CASE  AT  FONTANA,  KAN. 

To  THE  Editor  of  the  "  Banner  of  Light  "  : 

For  the  sake  of  humanity  be  pleased  to  insert  in  your  valuable  paper  the  fol- 
lowing wonderful  cure  made  through  the  means  of  magnetized  letters  by  Dr.  J. 
R.  Newton,  of  California. 

I  had  what  is  called  a  slow  ulcer  on  my  ankle  for  three  years,  and  had  four  dif- 
ferent doctors  to  attend  it ;  no  cure  or  relief ;  varicose  veins  on  my  leg  for  many 
years,  and  at  times  would  be  very  large  ;  also  the  gout  in  both  great  toes,  which 
I  have  been  subject  to  for  the  last  sixteen  years.  The  gout  I  consider  the  worst 
of  all  diseases  the  human  frame  is  subject  to.  My  father  was  a  martyr  to  it  for 
some  forty-five  years.  Some  months  ago  I  wrote  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  of  Cali- 
fornia, stating  my  age  and  disease.  I  received  a  magnetized  letter  in  about  ten 
days — no  medicine.  I  was  cured  in  a  few  weeks  of  the  ulcer,  varicose  veins,  and 
— what  the  medical  faculty  of  Europe  cannot  do — of  the  "  gout,"  so  that  I  can 
walk  two  or  three  miles  from  home.  Sufferers  from  the  gout,  lose  no  time  in 
sending  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  for  relief. 

THOMAS  RUDDERFORTH. 

Fontana,  Miami  Co.,  Kan.,  Oct.  21st,  1875. 

P.  S. — I  am  well  known  as  a  resident  of  this  place  for  the  last  five  years ;  also 
my  long  illness  is  known  to  the  public.  Since  my  cure  I  have  been  called  upon 
to  write  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  by  at  least  a  dozen  persons.  T.  R. 


152  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

CASE  AT  PEN  YAN,  N.  Y. 

Pen  Yan,  Oct.  6,  1875. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  My  Dear  Sir  .-—Ten  thousand  thanks  for  what  you  have 
done  for  me !     I  am  cured  of  my  nervous  difficulty. 

Yours  truly,  &c., 

P.  S.  OLIVER. 

CASE  AT  LA  CONNER,  W.  T. 

David  Culver,  of  La  Conner,  Washington  Ter.,  writes  to  the  Banner  of 
Light  that  he  was  almost  entirely  cured  of  blindness  by  letter,  at  a  distance,  by 
Dr.  Newton. 

The  following  voluntary  testimonials  appeared  in  the  Banner 

CASE  AT  SEVILLE,  OHIO. 

Mrs.  E.  A.  Young  writes  :  Allow  me  to  add  my  testimony  to  the  efficacy  of 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton's  healing  power,  imparted  through  a  magnetized  letter.  Four 
years  ago,  when  in  Cleveland,  I  called  to  see  Dr.  Newton,  and  he  told  me  to  be 
very  careful  or  I  would  have  an  attack  of  paralysis.  When  I  returned  home  I 
told  my  family  physician  what  he  had  said,  and  he  sneered  at  it;  but  some  time 
afterward,  when  the  attack  came,  he  said  it  was  an  affection  of  the  spine  brought 
on  by  overwork.  I  told  him  that  could  not  be,  for  I  was  paralyzed  in  my  right 
arm  and  all  down  my  right  side.  I  dismissed  him,  and  communicated  with  Dr. 
J.  R.  Newton,  who  immediately  sent  me  a  magnetized  letter,  and  I  was  cured  in 
a  very  short  time.  This  was  six  months  ago,  and  I  am  still  well,  and  have  the 
free  use  of  my  limbs.     Cannot  other  sufferers  be  helped  likewise  ? 


CASES  AT  BROOKLYN,  N.  Y. 

To  THE  Editor  of  the  " Banner  of  Light"  : 

While  reading  the  Banner  of  Light  of  July  13,  I  noticed  an  article  concern- 
ing Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  the  Healer,  of  Yonkers,  N.  Y.  And  I  feel  that  I  would 
like  to  add  my  testimony  to  the  long  list  of  persons  who  have  been  benefited  by 
his  treatment,  hoping  to  encourage  some  poor  sufferer  to  make  the  trial  that  I 
did.  After  a  long  and  painful  illness,  and  after  many  previous  discouraging 
trials  and  failures  with  other  physicians,  I  concluded  to  write  to  Dr.  Newton, 
describing  my  disease — which  was  perhaps  the  worst  case  of  lameness  on  record 
— caused  by  cancerous  affections  of  the  right  foot,  limb,  arm  and  wrist,  with  the 
most  excruciating  pains  in  the  bones  and  all  through  the  body,  nodes  gathering 
and  breaking,  indurated  ulcers  three  and  a  half  to  four  inches,  &c. — preventing 
sleep  for  weeks.  I  was  perfectly  helpless,  and  when  I  could  walk  at  all  was 
obliged  to  use  crutches.     I  had  been  a  great  sufferer  for  four  years. 

After  receiving  two  magnetized  letters  from  the  Doctor,  I  was  enabled  to  go 


HEALING    AT   A    DISTANCE.  153 

about  considerably  at  ease,  to  sleep  and  eat  well ;  and  ere  three  months  had  passed 
I  was  enjoying  myself,  travelling  with  ease ;  and  I  feel  that  I  can  now  safely 
say  that  I  am  well,  quite  well.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  describe  what  a  sufferer 
I  was,  and  the  benefit  and  relief  I  have  experienced  through  his  treatment,  and 
wholly  at  a  distance  from  Dr.  Newton  and  not  having  seen  him.  Words  fail  to 
express  the  gratitude  and  unbounded  pleasure  I  feel.  I  send  this  hoping  that 
you  will  be  pleased  to  allow  it  space  in  your  columns,  and  oblige 

Yours  truly,  MRS.  CORDELIA  R.  RAY. 

13  Stuyvesant  avenue. 
Brooklyn,  August  3,  1878. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  April  19,  1877. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton — Dear  Sir:  It  becomes  my  pleasant  duty  to  write  you 
in  behalf  of  the  mother  of  the  little  girl  whom  you  have  recently  cured  by 
magnetized  letter.  A  year  since,  the  child  had' measles  and  whooping  cough, 
which  seemed  to  develope  scrofula, — showing  itself  in  all  parts  of  the  body,  par- 
ticularly the  eyes,  which  swelled  and  discharged  frightfully,  and  for  nine  months 
she  did  not  see  the  light.  Your  letter  was  thankfully  received,  and  faithfully 
applied ;  and  the  swelling  at  once  abated,  the  discharges  grew  less,  the  next 
morning  the  eyes  partially  opened,  and  the  happy  mother  saw,  for  the  first  time 
in  months,  the  ball  of  the  eye,  which  she  thought  must  be  destroyed.  The  child 
was  soon  running  about  the  house,  instead  of  groping  her  way  blindly  about,  or 
sitting  in  her  little  chair,  where  she  has  been  most  of  the  winter.  The  scrofu- 
lous scores  that  so  long  covered  her  body  are  all  healed.  There  is  great  joy  in 
the  household.  Will  you  accept  their  heartfelt  thanks,  and  unceasing  prayers 
that  Heaven's  richest  blessings  may  attend  you  ?  A  life  filled  with  such  acts  of 
benevolence  must  indeed  be  worth  living. 

Yours  with  great  respect, 

MARY  A.  SAWYER. 

CASE  AT  GUILFORD,  N.  H. 

To  THE  Editor  of  the  "  Banner  of  Light  " : 

While  at  Lake  Village,  I  had  related  to  me  a  wonderful  cure  performed  by 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  the  Healer,  last  winter,  in  Guilford,  N.  H.  Mr.  William  L. 
Johnson,  a  member  of  the  Freewill  Baptist  Church,  a  highly  respected  man  in  the 
community,  related  the  facts  to  me  as  follows :  His  daughter  was  taken  sick  soon 
after  the  death  of  her  sister.  Previous  to  the  death  of  her  sister  she  was  a  very 
lively  and  intelligent  girl ;  but  after  this  affliction  she  became  sober,  "  moped  " 
around  the  house,  and  gradually  passed  into  what  the  physicians  pronounced  hope- 
less insanity.  Doctors  tried  their  remedies  and  ministers  prayed,  but  all  in  vain. 
Under  the  influence  of  this  kind  of  treatment  she  grew  worse.  Mr.  Johnson  was 
talking  with  Mr.  Cook  one  day  about  the  sad  condition  of  his  daughter.  Mr. 
Cook  advised  him  to  write  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton.  He  followed  Mr.  Cook's  . 
advice ;  and  one  day,  some  time  after  he  had  written,  his  daughter  fell  into  a 
sound  sleep,  and  when  she  awoke  she  was  cured.  A  few  days  after  this  Dr. 
Newton's  letter  arrived,  stating  that  upon  a  certain  day  she  would  be  healed, 


154  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

which  corresponded  with  the  day  upon  which  she  fell  asleep  and  awoke  in  perfect 
health.  I  asked  Mr.  Johnson  if  he  thought  the  devil  performed  this  cure,  and  he 
replied,  "  I  know  not  by  what  power  it  was  done.  I  only  know  that  my  daughter 
was  sick,  but  now  is  healed.  If  the  devil  perfojmed  the  cure,  all  I  can  say  is  : 
I  am  very  much  obliged  to  himP 

GEORGE  A.  FULLER, 

Secretary  of  the  N.  H.  State  Association  of  Spiritualists, 

Bradford,  N.  H. 

CASE  AT  EAST  CONCORD,  VT. 

East  Concord,  Vt.,  October  3,  1877. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton — Dear  Sir  :  My  wife  was  cured  of  spasms  by  you,  while 
you  was  at  Old  Orchard  Beach,  last  summer. 

Yours,  very  truly,  HORACE  RUSSELL. 


THE   HEALER   "  IN    HIS   OWN    COUNTRY."  1 55 


CHAPTER   XII. 

THE   HEALER   "  IN    HIS   OWN   COUNTRY." 

Dr.  Newton  in  Newport  and  Providence,  R.  I. — The  ancient  proverb  at  fault.— Testimony 
of  the  Newport  Daily  News. — Discussion  in  the  A/^rr^wry.— Remarkable  cures  at 
hand  and  at  a  distance. — Public  healing  in  Providence. — Testimonies  of  the  local 
press,  and  of  eye-witnesses. — Dr.  Newton  in  Salem,  Mass. — List  of  cures. — In  Chelsea, 
Mass. — Lectures  and  heals  in  public. — In  Portland,  Me. 

In  1866-7,  ^^^  again  in  1869-70,  Dr.  Newton  visited  his  native 
city  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  offered  his  services  as  Healer.  He 
also,  on  these  occasions,  extended  his  practice  to  the  neighboring 
city  of  Providence  and  elsewhere.  The  ancient  proverb,  that  "  a 
prophet  is  without  honor  in  his  own  country,"  seems  not  to  have 
been  fully  justified  in  this  case,  judging  from  the  testimonies  we 
have  to  present — although,  as  will  be  seen,  there  were  not  wanting 
those  who  doubted  and  reviled. 

The  Newport  Daily  News,  of  November  — ,  1866,  published  the 
following  article : — 

"WHAT  THINK  YE?" 

"  Our  people  have  been  greatly  astonished  on  the  arrival  of  the  cars  to  see,  for 
the  past  few  days,  crowds  of  persons,  surpassing  in  number  the  visitors  of  sum- 
mer, who  have  appeared  in  the  streets.  These  throngs  are  daily  on  the  increase, 
and  are  now  attracting  marked  attention.  They  are  wending  their  way  to  the 
rooms  of  Dr.  James  R.  Newton,  whose  fame  as  a  healer  of  diseases  without  the 
use  of  medicine  appears  to  have  reached  the  remotest  part  of  the  land.  They 
come,  the  lame,  the  halt,  the  blind,  the  deaf,  and  the  subjects  of  nearly  every 
other  ill  that  flesh  his  heir  to.  The  streets  are  literally  crowded,  and  if  this  state 
of  things  continue,  our  city  will  soon  be  a  Bethesda  equal  to  that  described  in 
ancient  times. 

♦•  Yesterday  more  than  six  hundred  of  this  sort  arrived  on  a  single  train  of  cars, 
and  others  were  left  at  different  stations  for  want  of  room.  Many  of  these  were 
invalids,  while  others  were  their  attendants  and  friends.  For  an  hour  Thames 
street  presented  a  lively  spectacle  as  this  multitude,  some  on  crutches,  some  with 
canes,  some  in  express  wagons,  some  in  hacks,  and  some  in  omnibusses,  wended 


156  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

their  way  to  the  infirmary  of  the  famed  physician.  The  Doctor  formerly  received 
his  guests  at  his  private  residence,  but  this  is  now  simply  impossible.  He  has  ac- 
cordingly leased  a  large  mansion  near  the  Perry  Mill,  which  was  filled  to  overflow- 
ing. When  these  arrived  many  were  unable  to  gain  admission  because  of  the 
press,  and  were  obliged  to  seek  accommodations  elsewhere.  For  a  long  time  the 
yard  in  front  of  the  house  was  literally  packed  with  human  beings,  all  eager  to 
hear  the  words  which  should  pronounce  them  well. 

"  Of  the  matter  of  treatment  we  have  nothing  to  say,  for  the  simple  reason  that 
we  have  no  knowledge  of  it.  It  would  seem  that  some  at  least  of  the  reports  of 
wonderful  cures  must  be  true,  or  so  many  would  not  be  influenced  to  come  here. 
Concerning  these  facts  we  may  have  something  to  say  hereafter,  when  we  have 
more  definite  knowledge  of  them.  As  it  is,  we  simply  record  what  is  taking 
place,  leaving  others  to  philosophize  on  the  theme." 

A  Providence  correspondent  of  the  Banner  of  Light  writes  to 
that  paper,  under  date  of  November  18,  1866,  as  follows  : — 

Dr.  Newton  returned  to  Newport  last  week,  and  procured  a  large  house  for 
an  infirmary,  and  during  the  week  was  busily  engaged  in  healing.  The  sick  and 
lame  came  by  hundreds  ;  and  Wednesday,  I  think,  six  hundred  and  seventy  were 
landed  by  a  single  train,  leaving  hundreds  at  stations  by  the  way  who  were  un- 
able to  find  room  in  the  cars.  A  gentleman  who  was  in  Newport  at  the  time, 
said  he  saw  people  who  went  into  the  Doctor's  rooms  on  crutches  come  away  with- 
out them,  and  run  down  Thames  street  with  youthful  agility. 

About  this  time,  the  following  appeal  "  To  the  Clergy  and  Pro- 
fessors of  the  Christian  Religion  of  the  City  of  Newport,"  appeared 
in  the  Mercury  of  that  city,  over  the  name  of  a  well  known  citizen 
of  the  vicinity  : — 

FAITH   PROVED  BY  WORKS. 

"  To  THE  Clergy  and  Professors  of  the  Christian  Religion  of  the 
City  of  Newport: — 

"  I  learn  that  the  far-famed  Dr.  Newton  is  healing  multitudes  of  their  sick- 
nesses and  infirmities  in  Newport,  through,  as  he  asserts,  the  power  of  the  spirit 
and  the  laying  on  of  hands,  as  was  done  in  the  Apostolic  days.  I  also  under- 
stand that  the  Doctor  professes  to  have  a  living  faith  in  the  doctrines  taught  by 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  and  asserts  that  the  great  and  beneficent  work  he  is  performing 
is  simply  an  exemplification  of  the  truth  of  the  memorable  promise  made  by  the 
divinely  inspired  Master  to  his  disciples,  after  partaking  of  the  last  supper,  in 
the  following  words : — 

"*  I  say  to  you,  he  that  believeth  in  me,  the  works  that  I  do,  he  also  shall  do, 
and  greater  than  these  shall  he  do.' — John  xiv. :  12 — [Douay  version]. 

"  Now  unless  there  is  some  radical  mistake  in  the  translation  of  this  passage,  its 


THE  HEALER  "  IN  HIS  OWN  COUNTRY.         1 5/ 

meaning  seems  too  plain  to  be  misapprehended.  It  follows,  that  as  Jesus  healed 
the  sick  by  the  power  of  the  spirit,  and  the  laying  on  of  hands,  so  must  every 
true  believer  in  him  be  able  to  do  the  same,  and  rjen  more  than  he  did.  Now 
Dr.  Newton  asserts  that  he  believes  in  the  teachings  and  divine  mission  of 
Jesus  ;  and  the  truth  of  his  declaration  seems  proved  by  the  fact  that  in  accord- 
ance with  what  Jesus  himself  promised,  he  is  enabled  to  perform  the  works  that 
were  made  the  only  test  of  true  belief. 

"  As  I  aip  totally  unacquainted  with  either  Latin,  Greek  or  Hebrew,  will  some 
Doctor  of  Divinity,  or  other  person  learned  in  biblical  languages,  be  so  kind  as 
to  inform  the  readers  of  the  Mercury  whether  or  not  there  is  any  mistake  in  the 
translation  of  the  passage  of  Scripture  I  have  quoted ;  and  if  there  is  not,  will  he 
also  be  so  good  as  to  say  who,  in  his  opinion,  are  the  true  disciples  of  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  at  the  present  day — those  who  assert  their  belief  with  the  lips,  but  do 
not  prove  the  truth  of  their  assertion  by  performing  the  works  that  were  made  a 
test  of  belief  ;  or  those  who,  like  the  Doctor,  assert  the  same  belief  with  their 
lips,  and  do  perform  the  works  that  were  made  the  test  of  belief  by  Jesus  himself  ? 
"  Respectfully,  THOMAS  R.  HAZARD." 

This  appeal  was  copied  in  the  Boston  Banner  of  Light ^  with  the 
following  appropriate  comments  : — 

"  We  are  heartily  glad  to  see  the  above  article,  from  a  writer  who  so  fully 
appreciates  the  matter,  published  in  a  journal  like  the  Newport  Mercury.  The 
fact  is,  the  time  has  long  gone  by  when  these  '  works '  can  be  ignored  or  written 
down.  There  they  are,  uttering  their  own  irrefragable  testimony.  We  do  not 
remember  *  *  *  *  to  have  seen  any  serious  attempt  to  bring  these  cures  of  Dr. 
Newton  into  disrepute.  They  are  too  palpable  to  be  denied,  and  it  is  no- 
torious that  this  is  not  the  mode  of  attack  which  the  enemies  of  the  cause  dare 
undertake.  They  know  it  will  not  do  for  them  to  oppose  what  people  can  see 
for  themselves  to  be  true.  Hence  they  let  Dr.  Newton's  cures  and  healing  pass* 
and  fall  upon  matters  which  they  do  not  understand  themselves,  and  which  allow 
a  certain  margin  for  mystery.  There  is  a  good  deal  to  be  said  concerning  this 
magnetic  system  of  healing,  as  practiced  by  Dr.  Newton,  and  particularly  from 
the  side  of  Faith.  But  for  his  faith,  we  undertake  to  say  that  he  would  be 
deficient  in  such  works  as  now  publish  his  name  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 
If  we  read  the  Scriptures  as  the  creedists  insist  they  must  be  read,  we  arrive  at 
precisely  the  same  conclusions  that  are  reached  by  Mr.  Hazard.  He  believes 
in  'works,'  such  as  Jesus  promised  his  disciples  they  could  perform  if  they  only 
had  faith.  Then  if  a  person  cultivates  and  strengthens  his  faith,  he  can  do  even 
greater  things  than  were  ever  done  before.  That  is  Dr.  Newton's  case.  He 
does  what  he  once  probably  never  thought  it  would  be  in  his  power  to  do. 
Why?  Chiefly  because  of  his  faith.  If  this  is  not  so,  then  we  will  thank  any 
Orthodox  minister,  who  makes  the  slightest  claim  to  scholarship,  to  tell  us  what 
the  text  quoted  means,  or  can  mean.  Certainly  it  was  put  there  for  a  purpose. 
If  Dr.  Newton  has  missed  its  signification,  then  who  will  tell  us  what  it  really  is  "i 

"  The  wonderful  cures  of  this  renowned  healer  are  bringing  to  him  multitudes 


158  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

who  thus  hear  the  word  and  see  the  work  of  the  spirit  gladly.  Here  are  evidences 
which  bigotry  cannot  set  aside.  We  have  it  on  good  authority,  that  not  much  more 
than  a  week  ago  the  old  Colony  Railroad  management  had  to  put  on  four  extra 
cars  to  accommodate  the  multitude  of  blind,  lame,  and  halt  persons  who  went  to 
Newport  to  be  healed  at  the  Doctor's  hands.  The  large  house  he  occupies  is 
crowded  with  those  who  come,  having  faith  in  his  power  to  heal  them.  The  press 
is  oftentimes  so  great  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  work  your  way  into  the  room 
where  he  is.  The  intelligent  portion  of  Newport  now  concede  the  power  over 
disease  which  he  manifestly  possesses." 

The  appeal  of  Mr.  Hazard  appears  to  have  brought  out  a  brief 
response,  the  nature  of  which  may  be  gathered  from  a  second 
article  by  him,  in  the  same  journal,  of  date  Dec.  15,  1866.  This 
we  reproduce  nearly  in  full,  both  for  the  additional  facts  it  presents 
and  the  cogent  arguments  it  introduces  : — 

TO  THE  CLERGY  AND   PROFESSORS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   RE- 
LIGION  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEWPORT. 

In  the  Mercury  of  the  ist  of  December,  X.  Y.  Z.  tacitly  admits  the  correct- 
ness of  the  translation  of  the  passage  I  quote  from  John  xiv.  12,  Douay  version, 
which  is  as  follows : — "  I  say  unto  you  he  that  believeth  in  me,  the  works  that  I 
do,  he  also  shall  do,  and  greater  than  these  shall  he  do,"  and  then  goes  on  in  true 
Yankee  style  to  answer  my  question  by  asking  another. 

"I  would  inquire  (says  X.  Y.  Z.)  if  Doctor  Newton  has  raised  any  person 
from  the  dead,  as  in  the  case  of  Lazarus  ? " 

If  X.  Y.  Z.  means  the  body  of  a  person  after  it  has  been  entirely  separated 
from  the  spirit,  I  answer  that  I  feel  sure  that  the  Doctor  never  has  raised  such 
a  body  from  the  dead. 

Now  that  I  have  replied  unequivocally  to  X.  Y.  Z.'s  query,  will  he  do  me  the 
favor  to  answer  the  question  I  proposed  with  equal  distinctness,  viz  :  "  Who  are 
the  true  disciples  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth  in  the  present  day,  those  who  assert  their 
belief  with  their  lips  but  do  not  perform  the  works  that  Jesus  made  a  test  of  belief, 
or  those  who,  like  Dr.  Newton,  assert  the  same  belief  and  do  perform  the  works.'* 

With  X.  Y.  Z.'s  leave,  I  will  here  introduce  a  few  comparisons  in  connection 
with  some  of  the  Doctor's  cures,  and  the  fundamental  principles  upon  which  he 
relies  to  accomplish  them. 

In  some  remarks  made  at  Dodworth's  Hall,  in  New  York,  last  May,  Dr. 
Newton  distinctly  asserted  that  the  fundamental  principles  that  lay  at  the  founda- 
tion of  his  healing  power,  were  ^'  the  same  that  Christ  taught^*  and  that  the  practice 
of  curing  diseases,  &c.,  by  laying  on  of  hands,  was  not  only  performed  in  "  Christ's 
time,"  but  for  three  or  four  hundred  years  after  his  crucifixion.  "  I  hold  (said  he) 
that  the  purer  the  life,  the  better  the  healer  will  be.  I  believe  I  am  controlled  by 
guardian  and  controlling  spirits,  and  that  they  possess  the  power  to  heal  through 
me.     And  just  as  I  live  in  principle  and  truth,  by  just  such  powers  shall  I  be 


THE    HEALER    "  IN    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY."  1 59 

controlled ;  the  better  life  I  live,  day  after  day,  the  better  the  angels  from  the 
celestial  spheres  can  come  and  operate  to  heal  the  sick.  And  if  we  live  a  de- 
based or  low  life,  low  or  unprogressed  spirits  only  can  control  us." 

This  seems  to  me  to  be  not  a  bad  Christian  confession. 

I  will  now  compare  a  few  of  the  Doctor's  cures  with  some  of  those  recorded 
in  the  New  Testament,  that  X.  Y.  Z.  and  other  readers  may  judge  of  their  com- 
parative merit.  For  some  years  past  the  Doctor  has  gone  forth  on  many  missions 
of  healing,  and  whoever  has  paid  attention  to  the  subject  may  have  read  in  the 
various  secular  papers  of  the  hundreds  and  thousands  that  have  daily  flocked  to 
him  in  the  different  cities  he  has  visited,  including  Boston,  Portland,  New  York, 
Philadelphia,  Cincinnati,  Chicago,  Syracuse,  Rochester,  and  many  others.  He 
has  doubtlessly  operated  on  many  hundreds  of  thousands  ;  and  he  estimates  that 
his  cures  will  amount  to  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand.  So  numerous 
are  the  remarkable  cures  that  have  been  authenticated  by  oath,  affirmation  and 
certificate,  that  I  doubt  whether  they  could  be  all  published  in  twelve  months  by 
the  weekly  devotion  of  a  whole  side  of  the  Mercury  to  the  object. 

It  is  related  in  the  8th  chap,  of  Matthew,  that  whilst  Jesus  was  at  Capernaum 
there  came  to  him  a  centurion,  who  besought  him  to  heal  his  servant  of  the  palsy 
(paralysis),  and  that  upon  Jesus  saying  that  he  would  come  and  heal  liim,  the 
centurion  objected  that  his  house  was  not  worthy  to  receive  him,  and  in  great 
faith  begged  that  he  would  "  but  speak  the  word  only  and  my  servant  shall  be 
healed." 

Jesus,  after  remarking  on  the  centurion's  great  faith,  said  to  him,  "  Go  thy 
way;  and  as  thou  hast  believed  so  be  it  done  unto  thee.  And  his  servant  was 
healed  in  the  same  hour." 

The  following  (which  I  copy  from  an  autograph  letter)  speaks  for  itself : — 

CuLPErER  Co.,  Virginia,  March  20,  1861. 
Mr.  Uran  : — My  daughter's  case  is  certainly  one  of  the  most  remarkable  I 
have  ever  known  or  heard  of  since  the  days  of  the  apostles  of  old.  A  chronic 
affection  of  three  years'  standing.  After  explaining  her  case  to  Dr.  Newton  (in 
Boston),  I  asked  him  if  he  could  render  her  any  service.  He  said,  "Yes,/ 
can  cure  her,  and  will  not  put  you  to  the  trouble  and  expense  of  bringing  her  here. 
I  will  do  it  now."  He  used  me  as  a  medium  of  communication,  and  in  about  ten 
minutes  he  said  to  me,  "Your  daughter  is  well ;  take  out  your  watch  and  make 
a  note  of  the  time."  I  did  so. — It  was  12  m.,  of  Wednesday,  6th  March,  1861. 
On  that  day,  while  my  daughter  was  at  dinner  at  home,  in  Culpeper  Co.,  Vir- 
ginia, over  500  miles  distant,  between  12  and  i  o'clock,  she  remarked  to  her 
mother,  *'  Ma,  I  feel  so  much  better  !  I  feel  well ;  I  am  well,"  and  well  she  cer- 
tainly is,  and  as  hale  and  hearty  as  I  have  ever  known  her. 

Respectfully, 

WM.  P.  ELISASON. 

An  autograph  letter  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  which  I  now  hold  in  my  hand,  dated 
Danbury,  Conn.,  May  i8th,  1866,  states  that  the  writer  of  the  letter,  Isaiah  Nutt, 
called  on  the  Doctor  with  a  lock  of  his  son's  hair,  who  had  been  kicked  on  the 


l60  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

iith  inst.,  on  the  head,  by  a  horse.  The  boy  "could  not  hold  his  head  up,  but  jt 
leaned  over  back  as  if  his  neck  was  out  of  joint."  The  Doctor  placed  the  lock 
of  hair  on  Mr.  Nutt's  hand  and  held  it  with  his  and  said :  "  The  child  is  healed 
from  this  moment."  "  On  arriving  home  I  found,"  continues  Mr.  N.,  "  that  the  child 
was  at  the  time  asleep,  and  on  waking  carried  his  head  erect,  verifying  your 
words." 

I  also  have  before  me  a  letter  from  Edward  L.  Baker,  Esq.,  who  is  well  known 
in  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  dated  Boston,  April  i6th,  1861. 

[As  this  letter  is  given  in  full  in  the  preceding  chapter  it  is  omitted  here  — Ed.] 

This  seems  a  remarkable  case,  as  the  letter  which  Mr.  B.  held  in  his  hand 
must  have  been  the  only  exceedingly  attenuated  thread  or  medium  of  communi- 
cation with  the  patient,  then  a  thousand  miles  away.  It  would  seem  as  if  thought 
was  to  the  spiritual  what  the  voice  is  to  the  physical  man.  Either  can  be  felt  or 
heard  as  far  as  they  can  be  thrown,  and  both  carry  with  them  a  magnetic  influence. 
How,  none  but  God  can  understand,  neither  can  any  but  He  know  how  the  electric 
current  passes  through  the  telegraph  wire. 

The  Doctor  holds  that  there  is  a  latent  magnetic  life  that  can  be  developed, 
and  made  to  perform  the  same  works  that  he  does,  in  all  who  live  in  conformity 
to  the  real  teachings  of  Jesus  and  the  Christ  principle. 

In  making  cures  at  a  distance  through  the  medium  of  locks  of  hair  or  some 
article  impregnated  with  the  magnetism  of  the  diseased  person,  the  Doctor  says 
it  is  indispensible  that  there  should  be  faith  on  one  side  or  the  other,  and  that  in 
willing  the  cure  he  "feels  and  eliminates  a  shock  just  as  much  and  as  powerful 
as  that  from  a  galvanic  battery ;  "  as  for  instance,  recently,  Charles  Schroeder,  of 
New  Brunswick,  in  New  Jersey,  brought  to  the  Doctor  a  coat  of  his  little  boy, 
aged  12,  then  suffering  with  an  ossified  spine  and  stiff  neck. — The  child  was  in. 
stantly  cured  and  felt  the  shock  in  New  Jersey,  at  the  same  instant  that  the  Dr. 
willed  him  cured  in  New  York. 

At  the  same  time  and  place  Anne  Cook,  sick  and  bedridden  three  months,  by 
the  Doctor's  will-power  exerted  through  an  article  of  dress,  felt  the  shock  and  rose 
instantly  to  her  feet,  well  and  whole. 

The  Doctor  generally  receives  pay  from  the  rich  and  gives  of  the  same  to  his 
poor  patients,  but  in  cases  of  healing  by  touch  of  garment,  locks  of  hair,  &c.,  he 
takes  pay  from  no  one.  *  *  *  The  expressions  the  Doctor  uses  in  these  ivill 
power  healings  have  a  very  scriptural  sound  and  significance,  for  instance  : 

Mrs.  Samuel  Hopper,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  brought  the  garment  of  her  child  to 
the  Doctor  in  New  York,  that  was  then  lying  at  home  with  water  on  the  brain, 
unconscious  and  paralyzed.  He  took  the  garment  and  said,  like  one  having 
authority,  "  Go  home^  woman,  your  child  is  well.'"  She  went  home  and  found  her 
child  well,  and  afterwards  brought  it  to  the  Doctor's  rooms  in  health. 

It  is  related  in  9th  chap.  Matthew,  that  "they  brought  to  Jesus  a  man  sick  of 
the  palsy,  lying  on  a  bed."  Jesus  seeing  their  faith,  after  some  preliminary 
discourse  said  "  to  the  sick  of  the  palsy,  arise,  take  «/  thy  bed,  and  go  tinto  thine 
house,  and  he  arose  and  departed  to  his  house." 

A  Mrs.  Hopkins  confirmed  the  following  statement  before  a  large  assemblage 


THE    HEALER   ''  IX    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY."  l6l 

in  New  York.  Mrs.  Hopkins  was  paralyzed  from  her  waist  down.  She  was 
moved  around  in  a  chair  on  wheels  for  six  years,  and  was  a  subject  that  the 
doctors  had  performed  many  experiments  upon,  especially  "moxa;"  that  is, 
burning  her  back  from  her  neck  down  its  entire  length,  with  hammers  heated 
nearly  red  hot,  applied  to  the  bare  flesh.  She  was  brought  to  Dr.  Newton's 
rooms  in  Philadelphia  in  the  arms  of  her  brother.  He  worked  on  her  about  ten 
minutes,  and  then  speaking  in  a  decided  tone,  as  "  one  having  authority  "  (which 
seems  to  be  a  part  of  magnetic  healing),  said,  "  Get  tip  !  Up  with  you  !  "  And 
in  ten  minutes  she  walked  around,  and  in  fifteen  she  ran  up  and  down  stairs  per- 
fectly cured.  At  the  time  the  above  facts  were  detailed  Mrs.  Hopkins  stood  up 
by  request  before  the  audience,  the  picture  of  health. 

I  myself  once,  in  company  with  a  friend,  saw  the  Doctor  operate  on  several 
pauper  patients  at  his  rooms  in  New  York,  when,  quick  as  a  flash  of  light,  he  set 
a  boy's  hip,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  minutes  caused  two  paralytic  patients 
(before  almost  helpless)  to  walk  across  the  room,  one  of  whom  had  not  been 
able  to  do  so  for  very  many  years.  When  the  last  patient  was  dismissed,  the 
Doctor  stooped  down  and  asked  us  to  raise  our  hands  as  high  above  his  head 
as  we  could.  We  did  so,  and  felt  a  current  as  strong  as  a  tolerable  blast  from  a 
bellows.  It  was  doubtless  the  surplusage  magnetism  or  vital  fluid  that  he  had 
been  surcharged  with  by  spirit  power  passing  from  his  brain,  now  that  his  ben- 
eficent labors  of  the  day  were  over.  Several  hundred  labelled  crutches  and  canes 
were  then  in  the  Doctor's  rooms,  left  by  patients  who  had  been  healed. 

This  magnetism  of  the  healing  medium,  especially  when  there  is  strong  faith 
in  the  recipient,  can  be  often  imparted  by  a  touch  of  the  patient,  similar  to  that 
described  by  Matthew,  wherein  a  "  woman  diseased  with  an  issue  of  blood  twelve 
years,"  came  behind  Jesus  in  a  crowd,  and  by  touching  his  garment  in  simple 
faith,  was  "  made  whole  from  that  hour."        *        *        * 

Matthew  also  relates  that  a  certain  ruler  came  to  Jesus  and  told  him  that  his 
daughter  was  dead—"  but,"  said  he,  "  come  and  lay  thy  hand  upon  her  and  she 
shall  live." 

The  maid  was  doubtless  in  a  deep  trance,  in  which  such  are  often  buried 
alive,  as  there  is  abundant  proof.  When  Jesus  came  to  the  house  he  told  the 
people  there  to  "give  place,  for  the  maid  is  not  dead  but  sleepeth,  and  they 
laughed  him  to  scorn.  But  when  the  people  were  put  forth  he  went  in  and  took 
her  by  the  hand,  and  the  maid  arose." 

This  laughing  in  scorn  no  doubt  disturbed  the  necessary  harmonious  con- 
ditions, and  hence  Jesus  put  the  noisy  crowd  out  of  the  house  before  commencing 
operations. 

All  spiritualists  of  experience  well  know  the  absolute  necessity  of  harmonious 
conditions,  both  externally  and  internally,  in  order  to  insure  satisfactory  spirit 
manifestations  of  any  kind,  and  especially  those  of  healing.  Asking  a  controlling 
spirit  once  why  it  was  that  they  were  so  sensitive  to  the  presence  of  bigoted  and 
malignant  natures,  whilst  that  of  ordinary  sinners  did  not  seem  to  disturb  them, 
he  answered  my  question  as  X.  Y.  Z.  does,  by  asking  another,  after  this  fashion — 
"  How  would  you  feel  (said  he)  in  conducting  some  nicely  adjusted  operation  in 
the  presence  of  venomous  serpents  that  were  continually  spitting  poison  at  you  ?  " 

II 


1 62  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

This  doubtless  was  said  in  allusion  to  the  class  of  men  who  were  christened  by 
both  John  and  Jesus  by  so  significant  a  name — Matt.  iii.  7  ;  xii.  34;  xxiii.  33 — • 
which  "generation"  is  by  no  means  yet  extinct. 

Dr.  Newton  has  doubtlessly  raised  many  people  out  of  ordinary  trance  con- 
ditions, but  I  believe  that  he  has  never  been  called  upon  to  operate  on  any  per- 
son affected  as  seriously  in  that  way  as  was  the  ruler's  daughter  (although  some 
other  spiritual  mediums  of  the  day,  I  think,  have  treated  such  with  success),  and 
therefore  I  cannot  say  what  the  Doctor  could  do  in  such  cases. 

The  following  two  instances  of  cure  by  Dr.  Newton  come  about  as  near 
raising  from  the  dead  as  any  I  have  seen  : — 

A  Mrs.  Torquand  brought  her  child  to  the  Doctor's  rooms  in  New  York  at  a 
time  his  house  was  full  of  patients  waiting  to  be  cured.  As  the  child  was  brought 
in,  "  Why,"  said  the  people,  "do  they  bring  dead  people  here  ?  "  The  child  had 
been  paralyzed  in  both  body  and  mind  for  twenty-two  months  ;  its  feet  and  head 
were  hanging  down ;  it  could  not  move  a  muscle  except  to  turn  its  eye.  The 
Doctor  looked  at  it,  and  had  but  little  faith  that  it  could  be  cured,  but  the 
mother  had  unbounded  faith.  The  Doctor  worked  on  it  about  an  hour,  when  it 
ran  and  walked  in  the  full  vigor  of  health.  The  Doctor  gave  her  a  jump  rope, 
and  the  child  went  off  jumping  the  rope  up  i8th  street. 

The  patient,  a  stout,  hearty  young  girl,  corroborated  this  statement  last  May, 
which  was  some  months  or  years  after  the  cure,  before  a  large  assembly  in  New 
York. 

[The  other  case  here  given  is  that  narrated  by  Moses  Cristy,  of  N.  Y.,  to  be 
found  in  full  in  Chap.  IX.  of  this  book. — Ed.] 

I  meant  in  this  connection  to  have  compared  all  the  cures  mentioned  in  the 
New  Testament  consecutively  as  I  have  begun  with  those  made  by  Dr.  Newton, 
but  find  that  I  have  already  exceeded  the  limits  of  a  newspaper  article,  and  must 
hasten  to  a  close.  I  will,  however,  just  say  that  if  space  permitted  I  could  show 
by  numerous  well  authenticated  cases  that  Dr.  Newton  has  restored  sight  to  the 
blind,  hearing  to  the  deaf,  cured  fevers  and  bloody  flux,  and  cast  out  devils,  after 
the  manner  recorded  in  the  Testament.  In  fact,  his  cases  of  healing  such  mala- 
dies are  to  be  numbered  by  tens  of  thousands. 

By  the  bye,  I  have  observed  that  those  persons  who  are  possessed  with  the 
most  dumpish  kind  of  devils  generally  avoid  the  presence  of  spiritual  mediums. 
They  seem  to  have  the  same  dread  of  them  that  the  dumb  demon  of  the  tombs 
had  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  And  like  the  Gadarenes  of  old,  when  healing  me- 
diums are  about  they  are  "  taken  with  great  fear,"  lest  their  own  proper  devils 
should  be  discerned  and  perhaps  *'  cast  out,"  and  if  they  cannot  persuade  the 
mediums  to  "depart  from  their  coasts,"  they  take  good  .care  to  give  them  a  wide 
berth,  and,  like  the  aforesaid  dumb  one  of  the  tombs,  cry  aloud  that  they  want 
nothing  to  do  with  them. 

I  think  if  X.  Y.  Z.  and  all  candid  investigators  could  be  made  fully  aware  of 
the  number  and  quality  of  the  Doctor's  cures,  they  would  be  willing  to  concede 
that  if  his  powers  of  healing  do  not  yet  come  up  fully  to  the  standard  presented 
by  Jesus,  they  come  nearer  to  it  than  do  those  of  any  of  the  popular  professors 
of  divinity  of  the  day  possess,  or  at  least  exercise. 


THE    HEALER    "  IN    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY."  163 

Besides,  Dr.  Newton's  powers  are  no  doubt  constantly  increasing,  and  will 
continue  to  do  so  as  long  as  he  retains  his  humility  (the  great  tower  of  every  true 
Christian's  strength),  and  lives  a  natural,  truthful,  faithful  life.  In  that  case  the 
spirit  of  Christ,  which,  according  to  the  promise  of  Jesus,  is  now  manifesting  it- 
self through  thousands  of  mediums  in  its  second  coming  to  earth,  "  in  the  glory 
of  his  father  with  his  angels,"  will  no  doubt  "  make  its  abode  "  with  the  Doctor  in 
common  with  all  who  have  kept  the  temple  of  their  hearts  in  a  fit  condition  to 
receive  them,  and  it  will  go  hard  indeed  if,  through  their  powerful  assistance,  the 
Doctor  is  not  able  to  accomplish  all  that  was  promised,  eve}t  if  the  thing  be  pos- 
sible to  the  restoring  physical  animation  to  a  dead  body  after  its  life  is  cleajt  gone 
therefrom.        »        *        * 

But  admitting  all  that  X.  Y.  Z.  and  his  clerical  brethren  may  claim  in  respect 
to  the  cure  of  Lazarus,  there  is  one  fact  connected  with  the  Doctor's  healing  that 
does  seem  to  come  up,  in  a  measure,  to  the  standard  of  Christian  belief  pre- 
scribed by  Jesus,  viz.,  that  of  exercising  his  powers  of  healing  in  his  own  native 
city. 

We  read  that  on  one  occasion,  when  Jesus  attempted  to  teach  his  sublime  and 
beautiful  doctrines  in  the  synagogue  at  Nazareth,  that  his  fellow  church-going 
citizens  became  so  exasperated  at  his  reproofs  that  they  beguiled  him  to  the  brow 
of  the  hill  on  which  the  city  was  built,  intending  to  throw  him  down  headlong. 

On  making  a  like  attempt  at  some  other  period,  hearers  "  were  offended  at 
him,"  querying,  "  Is  not  this  the  carpenter,  the  son  of  Mary — the  brother  of 
James  and  Joses  and  of  Juda  t  and  are  not  his  sisters  here  with  us  ?  But  Jesus 
said  unto  them,  a  prophet  is  not  without  honor  save  in  his  own  country,  and 
among  his  own  kin,  and  in  his  own  house.  And  he  could  there  do  no  mighty 
work,  save  that  he  laid  his  hands  on  a  few  sick  folks  and  healed  them." 

Very  like  this  (excepting  the  affair  on  the  hill)  has  been  the  treatment  of  Dr. 
Newton  in  Newport,  his  native  city.  In  bitterness  of  spirit  he  can  bear  witness 
to  the  truth  of  the  saying  of  Jesus,  "  If  they  have  called  the  master  of  the  house 
Beelzebub,  how  much  more  shall  they  call  those  of  his  household." 

Again  said  the  scribes  (whose  Christian  name  is  '■'■  generation  of  vipers "), 
"This  fellow  (Jesus)  does  not  cast  out  devils  but  by  Beelzebub,  the  prince  of  the 
devils." 

And  so  said  many  scribes  and  Pharisees  of  Newport  (descended  in  a  direct 
line  from  the  same  illustrious  ancestor — John  viii.  44 — as  were  the  ancient  and  re- 
spectable families  of  "serpents"  and  "vipers"  of  Jerusalem  before  hinted  at), 
in  regard  to  Dr.  Newton's  cures,  and  even,  if  possible,  using  more  opprobrious 
epithets  towards  those  of  the  Master's  "  household  "  like  Dr.  Newton,  than  did 
their  fathers  to  him  whom  they  reviled  and  crucified. 

But  in  spite  of  all  the  contempt  and  contumely  heaped  upon  him,  the  Doctor 
has,  through  faithfulness  to  himself,  his  gift,  and  to  God,  succeedad  in  establish- 
ing conditions,  after  years  of  trial  in  the  face  of  all  opposition,  sufficiently  har- 
monious to  enable  his  spirit-guides  to  perform  through  his  mediumship  such 
multitudes  of  wonderful  cures  that  one  can  scarcely  walk  the  street  without 
being  compelled,  even  against  their  wills,  to  acknowledge  the  facts ;  although 
some  of  the  generation  before  alluded  to  still  prefer  ascribing  the  honor  to  their 


164  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

own  father  (John  viii.  44),  rather  than  to  render  the  praise  to  the  father  of  Kim 
whom  they  profess  to  worship  as  the  Son  of  God,  to  whom  alone  it  belongs. 

THOMAS  R.  HAZARD. 
Vaucluse  (R.L),  Dec.  4,  1866. 

The  following  case,  which  appears  to  have  occurred  during  a 
subsequent  visit  of  Dr.  Newton  to  Newport,  is  placed  on  record  in 
this  connection.  It  is  given  by  a  correspondent  of  the  New 
Orleans  Times ^  in  Sept.,  1869. 

A  WONDERFUL  CURE— THE  MAGNETIC   HEALER— A  TRIP  TO 
NEWPORT,   NARRAGANSETT  BAY. 

"  This  is  the  Lord's  doing  ;  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes." — Ps.  cxviii. 

Plainville,  Ct.,  Sept.  27, 1869. 

fo  the  Editor  of  the  New  Orleans  Times. — Among  the  rare  things  I  have 
seen  since  leaving  my  sweet  southern  home  this  summer,  is  the  marvellous  cure 
of  Mr.  Julius  Norton— one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  merchants  of  Mont- 
gomery, Ala. — of  paralysis,  which,  from  its  inception,  baffled  the  skill  of  the  best 
physicians,  north,  south  and  west. 

Mr.  Norton  was,  it  appears  from  the  account  he  himself  authenticates, 
stricken,  toward  the  close  of  the  late  unpleasantness,  by  what  the  doctors  term 
«•  nervous  apoplexy."  From  death  in  the  first  attack  he  was,  by  sound  profes- 
sional judgment,  skilfully  applied,  almost  miraculously  rescued.  His  recovery 
therefrom  was  limited,  as  in  all  such  cases,  to  only  a  partial  use  of  his  arms  and 
lower  extremities. 

His  memory,  greatly  impaired  by  the  shock  it  had  sustained,  grew  weaker 
from  day  to  day,  and  in  a  state  of  almost  total  physical  and  mental  helplessness 
the  invalid  drifted  along,  sustaining,  at  various  times,  in  all  some  four  or  five 
attacks  from  the  same  disorder,  from  each  of  which  he  arose  a  feebler  and  more 
helpless  man. 

So  persuaded  was  he  that,  to  him,  recovery  was  impossible,  that  he  withdrew 
from  his  firm — Lee  &  Norton,  of  Montgomery — and  after  trying  the  best  medical 
skill  in  various  parts  of  the  country  in  vain,  removed  with  his  family  to  his  boy- 
hood's home — Connecticut — there,  among  the  friends  of  his  youth  and  affection- 
ate connections,  to  live  out,  as  best  he  might,  a  few  seasons  of  painful  existence, 
unenlivened  by  a  solitary  hope  of  future  restoration. 

For  a  year  previous  to  his  removal  to  this  place,  Mr.  Norton  had  become  so 
feeble  in  limb  as  to  be  able  to  walk — even  when  supporting  himself  with  a  cane 
—only  six  or  seven  steps,  continuously  resting  from  such  exertion  on  a  camp 
stool,  always  carried  for  him  ;  and  his  eyes,  grown  so  sensitive  to  light,  the 
slightest  gleam  of  which  seemed  to  carry  torture  to  his  brain,  that  he  was 
obliged  to  keep  them  constantly  screened  from  the  sun  or  gaslight  by  a  large 
enveloping  shade. 

The  sojourn  of  the  invalid  here,  from  early  July  to  early  August,  was  marked 


THE    HEALER    "  IN    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY."  1 65 

by  no  new  development,  save  at  times  great  weakness  of  intellect  and  vision, 
general  depression  and  sinking. 

In  this  condition  he  was,  by  a  cousin,  Mr.  Gad  Norton,  of  Plainville,  advised 
to  consult  a  Dr.  Newton,  then  at  Newport,  performing  wonderful  cures  in 
paralysis  through  the  instrumentality  of  magnetism  scientifically  applied.  In 
company  with  one  of  his  daughters,  his  cousin,  and  two  other  relatives,  Mr.  Nor- 
ton reached  Newport  after  a  day  of,  to  him,  exhaustive  travel,  in  a  state  of  utter 
prostration,  early  one  Sunday  morning  in  August. 

Soon  after  arriving  he  was  taken  to  the  Doctor  in  a  carriage,  from  which  he 
alighted  with  great  difficulty,  and  walked  as  before  described,  with  sitting  inter- 
ruptions, into  the  presence  of  the  magnetic  healer.  There  the  invalid  underwent 
a  series  of  manipulations,  embracing  a  hot  water  shower  bath  on  the  brain,  all 
lasting  some  thirty  minutes,  and  at  the  close  of  the  visit  was  able  to  return  to  the 
hotel — a  long  distance — on  foot,  without  cane,  or  stool,  or  shade,  with  apparent 
ease,  bearing  the  sunlight  bravely  all  the  way. 

The  next  morning  he  walked  to  the  office  of  the  Doctor,  where  the  process  of 
the  previous  day  was  repeated,  thence  back,  after  the  sitting,  to  the  hotel,  and 
from  there  to  the  return  boat,  whereon  he  rode  down  the  Narragansett  Bay  on 
deck — looking  at  passing  steamers  therein  and  reading  their  names — in  the  broad 
glare  of  the  sun. 

On  landing,  the  invalid  journeyed  as  before,  unassisted,  over  to  the  depot, 
took  the  train  for  Plainville,  which  he  reached  the  same  evening,  slept  soundly 
through  the  night,  and  has  since  then  been,  to  the  amazement  of  the  village 
(whose  people  pour  in  on  him  to  have  the  wonder  they  have  heard  confirmed), 
comparatively  strong,  improving  daily,  and  walking  and  driving  around  and  about 
Plainville  without  assistance  of  any  kind. 

Dr.  Newton  is  being  literally  besieged  by  the  sick.  He  left  for  Kansas  soon 
after  treating  Mr.  Norton,  doubtless  to  get  a  resting  spell  from  his  magnetic 
labors.  He  claims  in  his  cures  no  merit  for  himself,  but  says  they  are  the  work 
of  a  higher  power  we  call  magnetism,  which  is,  as  yet,  almost  unknown  in  intel- 
ligent application  to  disease. 

In  regard  to  Dr.  Newton's  labors  and  success  in  Providence,  we 
find  the  following  testimonies  : 

From  the  Providence  Press ^  April  26,  1867  : — 

DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON  IN  REMINGTON  HALL. 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  whose  fame  and  cures  have  become  world-wide,  and  who 
has  exercised  his  remarkable  powers  throughout  the  United  States,  some  two  or 
three  hundred  thousands  of  persons  having  passed  under  his  hands,  yesterday 
forenoon  gave  a  lecture  at  Remington  Hall  in  connection  with  a  public  healing. 
This  is  his  third  visit  of  the  kind,  and  the  attendance  yesterday  was  greater  than 
on  any  previous  occasion.  There  were  probably  two  thousand  persons  in  the 
hall,  and  hundreds  went  away  who  could  not  gain  admittance. 


1 66  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

The  cases  which  were  presented  for  healing  comprised  a  large  number  of 
desperate  ones,  many  being  paralysis,  a  disease  which  is  very  unyielding,  and 
requires  special  treatment  and  the  use  of  a  conjunctive  agency  which  cannot  be 
used  in  a  public  assembly.  This  is  true  of  some  other  diseases,  which,  when 
chronic,  demand,  in  connection  with  the  magnetic  power  of  the  Doctor,  hot  water. 
This  has  proved  a  powerful  agent,  and  while  speaking  of  its  necessity  in  certain 
cases  presented  yesterday,  such  as  white  swelling,  diabetes,  and  other  ailments, 
he  said  that  if  used  in  insanity,  he  had  no  doubt  our  insane  asylums  would 
be  speedily  emptied.  He  instanced  cases  in  his  own  practice  where  the 
patients  had  been  restored  to  a  sound  mind,  cases  of  long  standing,  which 
were  considered  hopelessly  incurable.  He  said  that  all  cases  of  cerebral  de- 
rangement were  readily  reached  by  magnetism  and  hot  water.  The  water  should 
be  at  a  temperature  of  from  ii6°  to  120°. 

We  have  not  space  to  give  his  remarks  at  length,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to 
d  )  so,  as  we  took  no  notes,  and  what  he  said  covered  the  time  of  healing  and 
were  made  as  suggested  by  the  cases  for  the  time  being  passing  under  his  hands. 
He  commenced  by  saying  that  the  power  of  healing  he  considered  to  be  an  ap. 
plication  of  the  Christ  principle.  The  healer  should  be  harmonious  with  himself 
and  with  the  world.  He  should  be  overflowing  with  sympathy  and  reach  out  to 
every  man  as  a  brother  and  every  woman  as  a  sister.  Lifted  into  this  high 
sphere,  desiring  to  do  good  for  its  own  sake,  to  reach  the  suffering  and  afflicted 
all  unselfishly,  with  motives  untainted  by  sordidness,  whether  of  money  or  honor 
among  men,  the  healer  could  confidently  look  for  God's  blessing  upon  his 
labors.  *  *  * 

The  power  of  impartation  was  dependent  upon  the  organization,  as  was  the 
adaptedness  of  receiving  it  to  a  certain  extent.  But  let  the  organization  be  as  it 
might,  there  must  be  faith  either  in  the  healer  or  the  one  to  be  healed.  This 
was  no  new  doctrine.  Those  conversant  with  the  New  Testament  will  call  to 
mind  the  frequent  reference  to  the  efiicacy  of  faith  in  connection  with  healing. 
It  is  recorded  that  Christ  said,  "  Daughter,  be  of  good  cheer,  thy  faith  hath  made 
thee  whole ; "  and  again,  '*  He  did  not  many  mighty  works  there  by  reason  of 
their  unbelief,"  or  words  equivalent  thereto. 

He  said  there  was  eliminated  in  his  system  a  certain  amount  of  the  life  prin- 
ciple, which  he  was  able  to  project  by  his  will,  and  active  use  of  his  arms  and 
body,  throughout  a  room,  and  reach  those  diseased,  he  indicating  at  the  time  such 
as  he  desired  to  reach  by  calling  the  disease.  This  he  illustrated  by  projecting 
the  life  power  to  reach  those  suffering  acute  pain.  They  rose  up  in  the  audience, 
and  several  averred  they  distinctly  felt  the  influence,  followed  by  a  cessation  of 
pain.  We  might  extend  this  at  considerable  length  in  noting  the  observations 
made  in  connection  with  the  cases  operated  upon,  but  must  forbear.  We  will 
say,  however,  that  many  suggestions,  though  novel,  had  the  seeming  of  reason 
and  philosophy,  especially  as  there  were  corroborations  by  cases  reached,  cured 
.or  benefited,  tantamount  to  a  demonstration. 

A  noted  case  was  the  restoration  of  the  voice  to  a  lady  who  had  not  spoken 
loud  for  several  months.  She  could  only  faintly  whisper  when  she  went  upon 
the  platform,  but  left  it  restored  and  able  to  converse  in  full  tone.     Several  cases 


THE   HEALER    '' IN    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY."  16/ 

of  lameness  were  attestations  of  Dr.  Newton's  power ;  some,  whose  arms  could 
not  perform  their  office,  left  the  platform  able  to  extend  them  at  length  and 
throw  them  up  to  the  top  of  the  head ;  others,  whose  lower  limbs  were  more  or 
less  affected,  and  whose  walk  was  with  a  limp  or  halting,  stepped  off  with  all 
steadiness.  One  lady  we  noticed,  who  came  into  the  hall  evidently  suffering 
from  a  painful  back,  who  rejoiced  that  she  was  made  whole.  We  saw  her  an 
hour  or  more  after  the  treatment,  and  she  declared  herself  a  "  new  creature."  We 
had  the  names  of  three  or  four  marked  cases,  but  mislaid  the  paper  upon  which 
they  were  noted- 

We  have  endeavored  to  give  a  fair  transcript  of  the  healing,  and  are  not  con- 
scious of  having  passed  the  line  of  fairness  in  any  particular.  There  is  unmistak- 
ably a  power  possessed  by  Dr.  Newton,  which  is  wonderful,  and  which  is  doing 
much  to  free  humanity  from  its  ills,  and  in  its  use  the  Doctor  is  generous,  freely 
treating  the  poor  without  money  and  without  price. 

From  the  Banner  of  Light : — 

DR.  NEWTON  IN  PROVIDENCE,  AND  HIS  WONDERFUL  WORKS 
THERE. 

Sunday,  April  28th,  was  an  eventful  day  in  my  experience.  Dr.  Newton  was 
in  Providence,  and  occupied  Pratt's  Hall  Sunday  morning.  It  was  crowded  to 
overflowing.  There  must  have  been  fifteen  hundred  persons  present.  The  Doc- 
tor spent  about  three-quarters  of  an  hour  elucidating  his  theory  of  healing.  He 
asserted  that  it  was  no  exceptional  gift ;  that  he  shared  it  in  common  with  hu- 
manity ;  that  the  power  by  means  of  which  the  cures  were  wrought,  was  latent  in 
every  human  soul ;  that  it  was  magnetism,  the  great  power  of  life,  flowing  from 
God  through  all  created  things ;  that  the  only  conditions  requisite  for  any  man, 
whereby  he  may  be  enabled  to  work  as  marvellous  cures  as  were  ever  accom- 
plished, were  a  pure,  healthy  organism  and  a  kind,  loving  heart.  The  Doctor's 
words  were  listened  to  with  profound  attention. 

At  the  close  of  his  lecture  my  eyes  witnessed  a  scene  that  beggars  descrip- 
tion. It  carried  me  back  in  imagination  to  the  days  when,  in  the  sunny  land  of 
Judea,  the  sick  and  the  suffering  thronged  around  the  carpenter's  son  in  such 
crowds  that  some  of  them  had  to  be  let  down  from  the  house-tops  on  beds  in 
order  to  get  near  him,  and  cured  them  of  all  manner  of  infirmities. 

The  Doctor  first  requested  those  in  the  audience  who  were  suffering  from 
acute  diseases  to  rise,  and  he  would  throw  his  power  upon  them  en  masse  and 
cure  them  in  that  way.  From  seventy-five  to  a  hundred  persons  rose.  The  Doc- 
tor drew  his  hands  up  to  his  chest,  and  concentrating  a  power  that  seemed  to  fill 
his  whole  being  and  flash  from  his  eyes  like  sparks  of  fire,  he  threw  this  power 
down  upon  the  audience  three  times,  saying  each  time,  "  Be  cured  !  disease,  de- 
4)art !  "  Then  he  requested  all  who  were  relieved  to  sit  down.  Only  one  lady 
remained  standing.  She  was  suffering  from  headache.  He  concentrated  his 
power  and  threw  it  again  toward  her  alone.  She  was  not  relieved.  He  says, 
"  This  lady  has  an  unusually  positive  nature."     This  was  evident  from  the  lady's 


1 68  -  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

general  appearance.  Calling  her  toward  him,  he  placed  his  hands  upon  her, 
saying,  "  Be  cured !  "  and  she  was  made  whole  from  that  moment. 

Then  he  requested  some  of  the  worst  chronic  cases  to  come  forward  to  the 
platform.  And  what  a  scene  ensued  !  The  blind,  the  lame,  the  deaf,  the  palsied 
and  those  afflicted  with  divers  diseases  came  forward  to  be  healed,  and  for 
an  hour  and  a  half  he  laid  his  hands  on  them  and  they  were  healed.  I  saw  a 
cripple,  a  young  man  about  twenty  years  of  age,  who  had  not  walked  without 
crutches  since  he  was  three  years  old  ;  who  had  never  been  able  to  go  up  and 
down  steps  without  assistance  in  addition  to  his  crutches,  at  the  command  of  the 
Doctor  throw  aside  those  crutches,  walk  back  and  forth  across  the  stage,  go 
down  the  steps  and  out  of  the  hall,  and  I  was  told  that  he  walked  to  his  home, 
the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  without  them.  This  was  so  remarkable  a  case  that 
the  audience  could  not  restrain  their  enthusiasm,  but  gave  demonstrations  of 
hearty  applause. 

I  was  on  the  platform  close  by  the  Doctor  all  the  time  he  was  operating, 
and  watched  with  professional  interest  the  effect  of  his  power.  One  man 
came  up  wearing  a  pair  of  goggles.  Dr.  Newton  pulled  them  off,  revealing 
a  pair  of  the  most  intensely  inflamed  eyes  I  ever  saw ;  and  I  have  walked  the 
wards  of  the  hospitals  of  our  large  cities  as  a  student,  and  spent  hours  in  our  eye 
infirmaries.  The  Doctor  placed  his  fingers  upon  those  eyes,  and  I  actually  saw 
the  inflammation  subside  from  them.  Three  times  he  placed  his  fingers  upon 
them,  uttering  his  words  of  power,  "  Be  cured  ! "  and  each  time  I  could  see 
the  marvellous  effect.  Finally,  he  who  could  not  endure  a  ray  of  light  upon 
his  eyes  when  he  entered  the  hall,  turned  and  looked  without  blinking  upon  the 
large  uncurtained  windows  through  which  streamed  the  unimpeded  light  of 
heaven. 

I  saw  several  who  were  deaf  healed  of  that  infirmity  so  that  they  could  hear 
a  whisper.  Hundreds  were  operated  upon,  and  no  case  of  failure  was  reported 
at  the  time.  Several  times  in  the  throng,  the  Doctor  felt  himself  touched. 
"  Who  touched  me?"  "  I,  sir,"  "  You  are  healed  ;  pass  right  on.  There  is 
no  necessity  for  my  operating  upon  you  again.  You  are  he^td,  for  I  felt  the 
power  go  out  of  me  !" 

What  a  striking  illustration  of  that  old-time  scene,  when  Jesus  exclaimed,  as 
the  throng  pressed  about  him,  "  Who  touched  me .-'  "  and  the  woman  who  had 
touched  his  garment  and  was  healed  of  her  infirmity,  came  tremblingly  forward 
and  received  the  gracious  assurance,  "  Daughter,  thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole." 

Many  cases  of  cure  by  proxy  were  attempted.  We  have  no  means  of  getting 
at  reports  of  these  cases,  but  each  attempt  was  attended  with  certain  psychical 
phenomena  that  to  me  were  intensely  interesting.  For  instance,  a  man  said  to 
the  Doctor,  "  My  daughter  at  home  has  been  sick  a  long  time."  "  Have  you 
faith  that  I  can  cure  her } "  "  I  have  strong  faith  that  you  can."  The  Doctor 
paused  a  moment,  and  in  that  interval  seemed  to  come  into  perfect  sympathy 
with  the  absent  sick  one,  and  to  get  an  idea  not  only  of  the  disease  under  which 
she  was  suffering,  but  also  of  her  general  condition  and  appearance.  Then  he 
took  the  father's  hand  and  bade  him  shut  his  eyes  and  concentrate  his  thought 
upon  his  daughter.     "  Now,"  said  he,  "I  shall  send  a  shock  to  her,  and  she  will 


THE   HEALER    "  IN    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY."  1 69 

feel  it.  Again  !  yet  again  !  She  is  cured  from  this  hour.  Take  out  your  watch 
and  note  the  time,  and  please  report  the  case  to  me,  for  it  is  a  marked  one."  He 
operated  in  this  way,  curing  by  proxy,  and  I  wish  the  effects,  if  any  were  pro- 
duced, might  be  reported.  * 

There  were  many  church-members  present  who  looked  on  with  astonishment. 
And  no  wonder,  when  they  read  in  the  text-book  of  their  belief,  "  These  signs  shall 
follow  them  that  believe."  No  wonder  they  marvel,  when  nowhere  can  they  find 
the  signs  that  are  the  seal  of  discipleship  save  among  the  condemned  and  anathe- 
matized Spiritualists.  And  some  said  this  power  is  of  God,  and  others  said, 
nay,  it  is  of  the  devil.  And  we  saw,  and  our  hearts  grew  glad  within  us  at  this 
splendid  exposition  of  the  power  of  our  faith  as  it  culminates  in  works,  in  the 
signs  and  wonders  of  the  spirit. 

The  Doctor  in  his  preliminary  remarks  gave  utterance  to  a  grand  prophecy. 
He  said  the  time  was  surely  coming  when  men  should  lay  their  hands  upon  the 
morally  diseased  and  they  should  be  made  whole.  God  grant  the  prediction  may 
be  speedily  verified. 

FRED.  L.  H.  WILLIS,  M.  D. 

From  the  Providence  Press  : — 

DR.  NEWTON,  THE  HEALER. 
Our  Reporter  visited  Pratt's  Hall  yesterday,  and  we  give  to  our  readers  the 
result  of  his  sight-seeing.  He  is  a  firm  believer  in  the  marvellous  results  which 
he  chronicles,  although  for  ourselves  we  confess  our  lack  of  faith,  and  should 
prefer  a  personal  examination  of  each  case  to-day.  Theologians  say  that  when 
the  organ  of  marvellousness  is  prominent,  the  boundary  line  separating /r^jz/»z/- 
tion  ivovci/aith  is  nearly  obliterated,  especially  when  excitement  gives  activity  to 
the  imagination.  This  is  a  matter-of-fact  world,  and  we  have  too  much  of  the 
skeptical  in  our  composition  to  take  even  the  public  cures  of  Dr.  Newton  or  any 
other  man  upon  even  so  honest  a  testimony  as  that  of  our  Reporter.  We  give 
it  however  as  he  has  written  it,  and  expect  as  a  reward  for  our  outspoken  skep- 
ticism, an  avalanche  of  testimonials  from  those  who  believe  themselves  cured  or 
helped,  with  a  request  to  print.  Patience,  friends,  our  columns  are  too  heavily 
loaded  to  accommodate  you  all.  We  beg,  in  advance,  that  you  will  not  attempt 
our  conversion  by  affidavits  or  written  statements  sent  for  publication.        Eds. 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  yesterday  morning,  spoke  in  Pratt's  Hall  on  the  gift  of 
healing,  and  gave  examples  of  it  on  the  platform.  The  announcement  that  he 
was  to  speak  had  drawn  together  an  immense  audience.  The  Hall  was  filled  on 
the  floor  and  in  the  galleries,  many  being  those  who  were  afflicted  with  the  ills  to 
which  flesh  is  heir  to,  come  to  test  the  powers  of  the  doctor  and  find  an  easement 
for  their  afflictions. 

The  Doctor  commenced  by  saying  that  the  gift  of  healing  had  ever  existed  ;  it 
was  coeval  with  and  ran  parallel  to  humanity.  In  many  it  was  latent,  but  it  could 
*  In  the  testimony  next  cited  (from  the  Providence  Press)  there  appears  to  be  a  report  from 
the  case  here  instanced.     See  last  paragraph. — Ed. 


I/O  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

be  brought  out  m  a  greater  or  lesser  degree,  according  to  the  organization  of  the 
individual.  The  agency  he  called  magnetism,  for  want  of  a  better  term.  It 
might  appropriately  be  called  the  life  force,  for  it  was  the  propelling  power  of 
the  system.  It  could  be  imparted  and  received.  It  might  be  supposed  he  felt 
exhausted ;  but  though  he  worked  hard  sometimes,  and  hundreds  consecutively 
passed  under  his  hands,  he  retained  his  strength  and  power.  While  he  was 
healing,  his  own  system  was  generating  power  constantly,  and  the  audience  was 
a  reservoir  in  addition,  from  which  he  was  constantly  receiving  magnetism.  In 
certain  classes  of  diseases,  deafness  especially,  he  was  enabled  to  be  more  suc- 
cessful, and  was  surer  of  performing  a  cure  in  a  public  audience  than  in  his  own 
private  rooms.  He  possessed  more  power,  and  could  concentrate  a  greater 
charge  of  vital  force.  It  may  be  well  to  say  here  that  there  are  three  diseases 
which  the  Doctor  considers  to  be  somewhat  exceptional — palsy,  deafness,  and  con- 
sumption in  its  advanced  stages.  These  are  attended  so  often  by  distinct  organic 
derangements  that  they  are  beyond  a  curative  state. 

Dr.  Newton  said  there  were  three  species  of  magnetism,  animal,  vegetable 
and  mineral.  The  first  was  the  special  curative  agency,  because  it  was  subject  to 
the  human  will.  It  could  be  controlled  and  directed  by  the  use  of  strong  will- 
power. But  this  will-power  must  be  exercised  in  love.  It  must  act  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  fundamental  principles  enunciated  by  Christ — Love  your  neighbor 
— Do  unto  others  as  you  would  that  they  should  do  unto  you.  If  this  was  true 
eighteen  hundred  years  ago,  it  is  no  less  true  to-day.  The  healer  must  be  hum- 
ble and  child-like,  be  imbued  with  the  love  principle,  and  make  of  himself  a 
temple  worthy  for  the  indwelling  of  angelic  and  divine  powers.  Did  we  all  per- 
mit the  Father  to  dwell  in  us,  did  we  recognize  our  common  brotherhood,  and 
did  we  realize  how  we  are  spiritually  connected,  the  magnetism  of  love  would 
fill  us  all,  and  we  should  have  a  foretaste  of  Heaven  upon  earth. 

Personal  contact  is  not  necessary  for  healing,  but  it  may  be  done  through 
garments  or  through  a  friend.  But  there  is  one  condition,  there  must  be  faith  on 
one  side  or  the  other.  If  the  person  who  comes  to  be  healed,  or  the  friend 
through  whom  the  healing  is  to  be  done,  comes  freely  of  his  or  her  will,  with  an 
earnest  desire  to  receive  the  blessing,  the  case,  if  curable,  will  be  reached.  If 
persons  are  brought  or  do  not  desire  to  come,  it  is  but  seldom  they  can  be 
reached,  though  sometimes  they  are. 

Under  these  conditions  healing  must  be  performed.  If  a  person  is  to  be 
cured  at  a  distance,  the  individual  who  brings  the  garment,  or  if  not  bringing  a 
garment,  the  person  through  whom  the  healing  power  is  to  be  transmitted,  must 
concentrate  his  or  her  mind  on  the  person  to  be  healed.  This  concentrated  mind 
completes  the  circuit,  and  a  shock  may  be  transmitted  which  will  be  sensibly  felt 
by  the  one  who  is  sick,  and  he  or  she  will  be  cured  or  begin  to  mend  from  that 
moment.  The  magnetism  passes  and  returns,  in  a  manner  analagous  to  tele- 
graphing. The  human  mind  for  the  time  being  becomes  a  conductor.  At  this 
point  Dr.  Newton  said  that  two  years  since  he  cured  a  young  man,  then  about 
twenty  years  of  age,  who  had  not  walked  from  birth.  He  believed  he  was  present 
and  would  request  him  to  come  forward.  The  young  man  did  so,  and  walked 
quite  comfortably  across  the  platform  and  took  his  seat    The  Doctor  said  he 


THE    HEALER    "  IN    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY.  I/I 

had  called  the  young  man  forward  to  let  the  audience  see  that  such  cures  were 
permanent,  as  there  was  much  skepticism  on  this  point. 

He  related  several  cases  of  cures,  some  bedridden,  some  at  a  distance,  and 
proceeded. 

He  remarked  that  when  a  lad  he  possessed  healing  powers,  and  he  frequently 
operated  on  his  playmate^,  but  he  did  not  understand  the  subject,  and  for  many 
years  his  powers  were  dormant.  The  spiritualistic  movement  attracted  his  atten- 
tion, and  he  began  to  query  what  the  exhibitions  of  his  childhood  days  meant. 
He  went  to  the  New  Testament ;  he  carefully  noted  the  cases  of  healing  there 
recorded,  the  circumstances  or  conditions  under  which  they  were  performed.  He 
felt  moved  to  enter  upon  a  mission  of  love,  and  did  so  unfalteringly,  trusting  in 
God,  He  believed  he  had  been  successful,  as  any  one  will  be  who  has  universal 
love  in  his  heart  and  feels  that  the  spirit  of  God  is  in  him. 

He  had  a  faith  that  greater  things  than  had  yet  been  seen  were  to  be  accom- 
plished in  no  distant  future.  He  believed  that  the  morals  of  men  would  be  im- 
proved in  a  similar  manner.  When  we  become  cognizant  of  the  mental  and 
spiritual  forces  which  reside  in  us,  and  let  the  love  and  Christ-principle  predom- 
inate, we  shall  become  mighty  to  the  pulling  down  of  strongholds. 

Dr.  Newton  then  said  he  would  throw  his  power  upon  the  audience  and  cure 
those  suffering  from  acute  pains.  He  requested  such  to  rise,  and  probably  fifty 
stood  up.  He  then,  on  the  platform,  put  his  hands  together,  drawing  them  tow- 
ards his  breast,  then  suddenly  threw  them  outward  and  said,  "you  are  cured." 
He  then  requested  those  whose  pains  were  cured  to  sit  down.  All  but  one  lady 
did  so,  and  after  one  or  two  movements  of  his  hands  as  before,  she  sat  down,  de- 
claring herself  relieved.  A  remarkable  fact  was  observed  as  the  Doctor  threw 
out  his  hands  in  the  first  instance.  There  was  a  sharp  detonation,  similar  to  the 
crack  of  a  percussion  cap  when  it  is  struck.  It  was  distinctly  heard  by  hundreds. 
The  Doctor  told  us  last  evening  that  it  was  the  first  occurrence  of  the  kind  in  his 
practice. 

The  invalids  then  went  upon  the  platform,  and  a  large  number  passed  under 
the  Doctor's  hands.  We  heard  many  declare  themselves  cured,  and  many  say 
they  had  sensibly  improved.  We  have  not  space  to  enter  into  details,  and  can 
only  mention  two  or  three  marked  cases. 

Ozias  C.  Danforth,  lame  seven  years,  walking  with  difficulty  by  aid  of  a  staff. 
In  less  than  two  minutes  he  walked  and  ran  across  the  platform  without  his  staff, 
and  handled  his  legs  as  nimbly  almost  as  though  he  was  a  boy.  He  walked  off 
without  any  support.  * 

William  C.  Tuttle  had  not  walked  for  seventeen  years,  since  he  was  three 
years  of  age.  He  had  been  forced  to  use  crutches.  He  could  not  go  up  stairs 
into  the  hall  himself,  but  was  carried  by  two  men.  In  an  incredibly  short  space 
of  time  he  walked  backwards  and  forwards  across  the  platform,  and  the  last  we 
heard  of  him  he  was  walking  on  the  street  with  his  crutches  under  his  arm. 

Charles  Sibley,  No.  92  Pine  street,  corner  of  Pine  and  Potter,  who  has  for 
several  years  been  partially  paralyzed,  was  much  relieved,  and  walked  much  easier 
and  freer.  He  carried  his  arm  to  his  head  readily,  not  having  been  able  to  raise 
it  higher  than  his  breast  for  seven  years. 


1/2  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

But  the  strangest  case  we  have  to  narrate  now.  Mr.  Alfred  S.  Bufiington,  re- 
siding on  Friendship  street,  came  upon  the  platform  and  desired  that  one  of  his 
family  at  home,  we  think  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Winslow,  might  be  treated.  Dr, 
Newton  took  him  by  the  hands  and  said,  "  the  lady  will  feel  a  shock  and  be 
cured  ;  "  at  the  same  time  he  brought  up  his  arms  and  suddenly  brought  them 
down,  by  which  he  claimed  the  magnetic  current  would  be  transmitted  to  the 
lady.  Dr.  Newton  requested  that  the  time  be  noted.  A  gentleman  who  called 
there  in  the  afternoon  informed  us  that  the  lady  felt  the  shock  and  immediately 
commenced  vomiting,  after  which  she  was  much  better  and  evidently  convalescent. 


From  the  same  : — 

DR.    NEWTON   AT    REMINGTON    HALL. 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  of  Newport,  yesterday  forenoon  exercised  his  gift  of  heal- 
ing, publicly,  at  Remington  Hall.  The  entire  hall  was  filled,  and  many  who  came 
at  a  late  hour  were  unable  to  enter.  He  opened  with  a  short  address  explaining 
his  mode  of  operation  and  the  principles  governing  it,  *  *  *  ^nd  then  pro- 
ceeded to  heal. 

Those  who  were  suffering  from  acute  pains  were  first  treated.  The  Doctor 
stood  on  the  platform  and  those  to  be  treated  were  in  the  audience.  With  a 
powerful  concentration  of  will-power,  and  a  vigorous  out-throwing  of  his  hands 
and  arms,  he  claimed  to  send  forth  a  wave  of  the  vital  fluid,  which,  as  it  reached 
the  subject,  was  appropriated  and  produced  its  effect.  Most  of  those  who  arose 
declared  their  pains  removed. 

On  the  front  seat  were  the  lame  and  crippled.  The  Doctor  went  upon  the 
floor  and  healed  them,  several  of  whom  were  children  affected  with  spinal  diffi- 
culties ;  most  of  these  were  visibly  affected,  and  plainly  indicated  that  a  change 
had  been  made  in  their  conditions.  Dr.  Newton  said  such  cases  required  several 
treatments,  and  the  use  of  warm  water  to  aid  the  restoration. 

One  of  the  most  marked  cases  was  Mr.  Jonathan  J.  Leonard,  of  Warren, 
a  middle  aged  man,  affected  with  inflammatory  rheumatism  for  five  months,  be- 
sides a  complication  of  other  diseases.  He  told  us  that  he  had  not  been  able  to 
sit  up  more  than  an  hour  and  a  half  a  day  for  some  time.  Having  been  treated 
upon  the  floor,  he  went  upon  the  platform,  with  a  little  assistance.  Another 
treatment  and  he  walked  smartly  across  the  platform  back  and  forth.  He  pub- 
licly stated  his  condition,  and  most  feelingly  thanked  God  that  his  infirmity  had 
been  healed.  At  the  close,  he  walked  down  the  aisle  and  left  the  house  with  his 
crutches  upon  his  shoulders.  There  were  several  other  noted  cases  of  lameness 
and  partial  paralysis  cured,  and  those  afflicted  showed  before  the  audience  that 
their  infirmities  had  departed.  Several  who  had  to  be  aided  upon  the  platform, 
passed  down  the  other  side  without  assistance.  A  great  variety  of  diseases  were 
treated,  and  many  of  all  kinds  were  removed,  as  the  subjects  declared.  A  lady 
who  was  deaf  as  she  passed  us  on  the  platform,  declared  she  could  hear  as  well 


THE    HEALER    "  IN    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY."  1 73 

as  ever,  and  another  whose  vision  was  imperfect,  declared  she  could  see  distinctly 
all  over  the  hall. 

Whether  these  cures  will  be  permanent  remains  to  be  seen.  Judging  from 
the  past,  however,  the  most  may  be  expected  to  remain,  as  several  were  at  the 
Hall  yesterday,  who  were  healed  months  and  years  since,  and  have  remained  so  to 
the  present  time. 

Treat  this  system  of  healing  as  men  may,  it  challenges  investigation.  Its  re- 
sults are  to  be  seen  on  every  hand.  Thousands  walk  the  avenues  of  life  to-day, 
who  have  been  rescued  from  languishing  and  pain  by  its  beneficent  instrumentality. 


From  the  Banner  of  Light : — 

DR.  Newton's  great  cure  in  providence. 

The  case  of  Mrs.  Rebecca  E.  Smith,  No.  9  Fountain  street,  city  of  Providence, 
affords  an  instance  of  curing  by  laying  on  of  hands,  which  must  forever  settle 
the  question  that,  under  proper  conditions,  the  healing  agencies  of  the  sprit-world 
will  triumph  over  disease  in  its  worst  forms.  The  cure  was  performed  by  Dr. 
Newton,  and  is  an  illustration  of  the  work  done  through  him.  Mrs.  Smith  had 
.  been  an  invalid  for  two  or  three  years,  and  on  the  first  of  June  utterly  gave  out, 
most  of  the  time  confined  to  her  bed.  She  finally  was  prostrated  entirely,  and 
had  been  confined  to  the  bed  six  weeks  in  pain  and  agoiiy — hopeless — for  she  had 
been  Under  treatment  of  "skilled  "  (so  the  world  says)  physicians  in  Boston  and 
Providence  Her  case  was  a  complicated  one,  being  partial  paralysis,  commenc- 
ing first  in  her  head,  then  passing  to  her  limbs — a  nervous  affection  of  the  heart 
and  spinal  complaint.  She  could  not  rise  from  her  bed,  and  had  to  be  moved 
with  extreme  care.  When  she  was  in  position  in  bed.  so  sensitive  was  her  back 
in  the  venal  regions,  that  she  declares  she  could  not  move  it  a  hair's  breadth.  It 
was  sensitive  to  a  most  acute  degree.  Arrangements  had  been  made  to  -remove 
her  to  an  infirmary  in  North  Providence,  when  it  was  determined  to  send  for  Dr. 
Newton,  then  in  Boston.  A  letter  was  despatched,  and  a  reply  received  that  he 
would  be  in  Providence  on  Tuesday  evening,  October  i8th.  He  came,  arriving 
by  train  at  six  o'clock;  went  immediately  to  the  house,  -and  at  once  operated  on 
his  patient.  In  less  than  five  minutes  Mrs.  Smith  rose  from  her  bed  and  walked 
three  times  around  the  parlors.  Dr.  Newton  then  told  her  to  dress  for  a  walk. 
She  did  so,  with  the  assistance  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Scholfield,  went  down 
stairs,  then  down  several  stone  steps  into  the  street,  took  Dr.  Newton's  arm  and 
walked  over  to  Westminster  street,  corner  of  Moulton,  to  the  house  of  a  friend, 
Mr.  Francis  Hacker,  and  without  any  support  went  up  a  long  flight  of  stairs. 
This  was  at  half-past  six — half  an  hour  after  the  Doctor's  arrival  in  the  cit)- — 
having  walked  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  In  a  short  time  she  returned  home, 
walking  all  the  way,  and  up  the  stone  steps  and  stairs  at  her  residence.  The 
next  day  she  rode  about  four  miles,  and  countermanded  the  arrangements  at  the 
infirmary.     The  next  day  being  stormy,  she  did  not  go  out,  but  walked  round  the 


1/4  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

house,  attending  to  household  duties.  On  Friday  she  went  to  Boston,  riding  in 
the  cars  ;  in  that  city  she  rode  much  in  the  horse  cars,  and  walked  quite  a  dis- 
tance without  any  special  fatigue,  though  her  daughter,  who  was  with  her,  de- 
clared that  she  herself  was  fatigued.  She  returned  to  Providence,  none  the  worse 
for  the  journey,  and  has  continued  about  since,  walking  out  and  performing  her 
usual  household  duties.  She  has  been  constantly  gaining  strength,  her  appetite 
has  come,  and  her  limbs  have  regained  their  fullness.  She  declared  that  she  was 
sensible  of  the  change  in  her  limbs  at  the  time  of  the  cure,  and  noticed  that  the 
process  of  filling  out  at  once  began. 

I  saw  Mrs.  Smith  for  the  first  time,  Sunday  evening,  October  30th,  and  received 
from  her  the  statement  of  the  case.  I  have  seen  her  once  or  twice  since ;  she  is 
gaining  constantly,  and  full  of  gratitude  for  her  marvellous  deliverance. 

I  will  not  take  up  space  in  comments,  for  the  facts  speak  for  themselves,  and 
attest  the  power  of  healing  beyond  cavil.  Utter  helplessness,  and  a  walk  of  a 
mile  inside  of  half  an  hour !  This  is  the  salient  fact,  which  no  words  or  elabora- 
tion can  make  of  greater  significance.  WILLIAM  FOSTER,  Jr. 

Prorjidence^  R.  /.,  Nov.  ii/y^,  1870. 


From  the  same : — 

THE    REGULARS    AND    DR.    J.    R.    NEWTON. 

We  have  another  case  in  Providence — a  cure  effected  by  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton, 
after  the  patient  had  been  in  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital — a  case  which  ap'peared 
most  unpromising  at  the  outset,  but  which  yielded  to  his  and  the  good  angels' 
powers  at  once.  I  might  justly  indulge  in  a  criticism  on  the  regular  practice,  but 
forbear,  lest  I  should  say  hard  things  and  make  my  communication  too  long.  So 
I  pass  to  the  case  and  the  cure. 

Mary  Salera  Martelli,  an  Italian  girl,  aged  eighteen  or  twenty,  resided  in 
Providence,  doing  housework  in  a  family.  She  was  poor,  had  only  a  single 
friend,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Hallett,  who  had  known  her  when  a  child  in  Chatham, 
Mass.,  soon  after  her  arrival  in  this  country,  when  a  mere  child.  The  girl  had 
been  complaining  something  like  a  year,  and  last  March  disease  had  made  such 
inroad  that  it  was  with  difficulty  she  could  work.  In  September  she  gave  up, 
being  unable  to  labor  longer,  and,  by  the  intervention  of  Mrs.  Hallett,  became 
an  inmate  of  the  Women's  Boarding-PIouse.  The  state  of  her  health  became 
such  that  some  of  the  ladies  of  the  institution  procured  her  admission  to  the 
Rhode  Island  Hospital,  without  the  knowledge  of  Mrs.  Hallett,  however.  She 
entered  it  on  the  4th  of  October,  or  thereabouts,  and  went  under  treatment. 
What  that  was,  I  cannot  give  in  detail.  There,  however,  is  a  key  which  will 
open  the  door  and  let  in  some  light.  She  was  laboring  under  a  severe  in- 
flammation of  the  bladder  and  kidneys,  and  one  agency  employed  was  the  in- 
jection of  nitrate  of  silver.  There  was  also  given  a  preparation  of  buchu,  nitre 
and  belladonna.  The  result  was,  that,  after  a  time,  spasms  were  developed 
of  a  very  severe  character,  also  a  loss  of  eyesight,  with  a  peculiar  feeling  in  the 


THE    HEALER    "  IN    HIS    OWN    COUNTRY.  1/5 

head.  She  describes  these  spasms  as  commencing  with  a  burning  sensation  and 
pain,  passing  upward  through  the  stomach,  finally  reaching  the  throat,  accom- 
panied with  a  choking  sensation  and  a  labored  breathing.  She  also  lapsed  into 
an  unconscious  state,  and  remained  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period  insensible. 
Her  distress  was  awful.  Finally,  she  thought  death  was  at  hand.  She  sent  for 
Mrs.  Hallett,  who  went  to  her  bedside,  and  found  that  Mary  wished  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  her  funeral,  and  designate  how  she  should  be  robed  for  the  grave, 
to  all  appearance  about  to  open  to  receive  her  young  form.  Hope  had  left  her, 
and  the  treatment  of  the  doctors  had  made  her  indifferent  to  life,  so  intense  were 
her  sufferings.  Mrs.  Hallett  apprehended  the  situation,  and  determined  to  re- 
move her  to  her  own  home  in  the  city,  and  did  so  November  i6th,  intending  to 
send  for  Dr.  Newton.  She  despatched  a  letter  the  day  of  the  interview.  The 
following  day  after  her  removal,  Mary  had  a  recurrence  of  the  spasms,  which  con- 
tinued so  long  that  Mrs.  Hallett,  to  make  sure,  fearing  the  letter  might  have  mis- 
carried, sent  a  telegram  to  Dr.  Newton,  which  he  received  at  half-past  three  in 
the  afternoon,  and  at  four  took  the  train  for  Providence,  arriving  here  at  six.  He 
found  Mary  insensible,  the  spasms  being  on.  In  less  than  five  minutes  she  was 
restored  to  consciousness  and  stood  on  her  feet ;  the  vital  functions  resumed 
their  sway,  so  that  she  went  out  and  walked  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  and  back, 
calling  upon  Mrs.  Smith,  who  had  been  restored  a  few  weeks  previously  by  Dr. 
Newton.  She  sat  up  till  near  eleven  o'clock,  then  retired,  declaring  in  the  morn- 
ing that  she  had  not  had  such  a  sweet,  refreshing  sleep  for  a  year. 

I  called  at  the  house  before  Dr.  Newton  left,  and  the  gratitude  of  Mary  could 
not  find  words  to  express  itself.  As  I  saw  and  mused,  my  eyes  moistened,  for  a 
flood  of  emotions  rushed  over  me.  She  has  steadily  improved,  walking  out 
almost  daily,  also  doing  housework.  She  prepared  the  Thanksgiving  dinner,  and 
the  day  preceding  made  pastry  and  cake,  and  was  prevented  from  doing  more 
lest  she  should  overtask  herself.  She  is  now  free  from  pain  ;  she  has  resumed 
her  elastic  step,  hope  has  revived,  the  terrible  gloom  enveloping  her  in  the  hos- 
pital has  lifted,  and  she  can  look  forward  to  a  pathway  sunlit  and  pleasant.  *  * 
She  was  very  anxious  that  I  should  communicate  the  facts  to  the  public,  which 
I  promised  to  do.  W.  FOSTER,  JR. 

Providence,  Nov.  24,  1870. 


In  this  connection  the  following  observations  of  an  eye-witness 
in  regard  to  these  scenes  of  public  healing  will  be  of  interest : — 

"  It  is  at  his  public  meetings  that  Dr.  Newton's  wondrous  power  is  often  most 
signally  displayed  and  felt.  The  power  seems  to  increase  in  proportion  to  the 
demands  upon  it ;  the  very  heavens  seem  to  be  open  to  pour  down  showers  of 
divine  love  and  healing.  The  scene  is  one  of  intense  and  thrilling  interest.  The 
crowded  halls,  the  expectant,  eager  throng  ;  the  cries  and  shouts  of  joy  when  a 
beloved  friend  is  relieved  of  his  distress  and  infirmity;  and  again  the  wonder  and 
awe  that  holds  them  speechless  when  a  miraculous  cure  is  performed ;  the  groups 


1/6  "  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

of  wonder-stricken  ones  holding  whispered  consultations  and  occasionally  revil- 
ing ;  and  above  all  the  central  figure,  towering  above  all  others,  erect,  confident, 
and  endowed  with  more  than  mortal  power,  radiant  with  almost  heavenly  glory, 
bidding  the  sick  be  healed,  and  the  afflicted  to  rejoice ;  and  occasionally  uttering 
words  of  comfort  and  cheer  to  all  around  him  ; — all  these  form  a  scene  that  will 
remain  indelibly  engraved  on  the  mind  of  the  observer ;  a  scene  upon  which 
angels  and  archangels  look  with  rejoicing." 


In  1867  Dr.  Newton  visited  the  cities  of  Salem  and  Chelsea,  in 
Massachusetts,  and  Portland,  in  Maine,  regarding  which  visits  the 
following  testimonies  are  on  record : 

From  the  Banner  of  Light ^  April,  1867  : — 

DR.  NEWTON  IN  SALEM. 

Dr  Newton  has  been  practicing  in  Salem  since  the  23d  of  this  month.  He 
commenced  his  labors  by  giving  a  very  interesting  discourse  on  the  philosophy  of 
healing,  which  was  listened  to  with  close  attention.  He  then  began  to  put  his 
theory  into  practice,  by  asking  all  in  the  audience  who  were  suffering  from  acute 
pain  to  stand  up,  assuring  them  that  he  would  cure  them  without  touch,  and  he 
kept  his  word  to  the  general  satisfaction  of  all.  During  the  Doctor's  stay  in 
Salem,  he  was  successful  in  curing  a  large  number  of  cases.  Mr.  A.  C.  Robinson, 
of  Salem,  a  respectable  gentleman  of  well-known  integrity,  vouches  for  the  follow- 
ing cases,  most  of  which  were  treated  under  his  own  observation.  We  mention 
these  cases  as  encouragement  to  others  similarly  afflicted. 

Mr.  Isaac  Pray,  of  Salem,  was  so  afflicted  with  lameness  in  the  hip  joint  and 
leg,  as  to  disable  him  from  walking  up  stairs  the  usual  way  for  seven  years  ;  was 
cured  in  one  treatment  before  an  audience  of  six  hundred  persons. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Ham,  of  North  Beverly,  had  a  very  lame  knee,  badly 
swollen  ;  walked  with  a  crutch  ;  was  cured  in  two  treatments. 

Mr.  Samuel  Church,  of  Salem,  troubled  with  nervousness  and  extreme 
difficulty  in  breathing  ;  cured  in  two  treatments. 

Mrs.  Nancy  J.  Fowler,  Margin  street,  Salem,  came  to  Lyceum  Hall,  Sun- 
day, March  24th,  with  lameness,  and  was  cured  immediately,  before  the  audience, 
running  back  to  her  seat  with  the  agility  of  a  child,  showering  gratitude  and 
blessings  upon  the  Doctor  for  his  noble  gift  of  healing. 

Mrs.  Judson  Chace,  Harbor  street,  Salem,  for  nine  weeks  had  been  suffer- 
ing from  hip  complaint  and  an  abcess,  during  which  time  she  could  not  walk ; 
was  brought  to  the  Essex  House  in  a  coach,  March  31st,  requiring  two  persons 
to  carry  her  in  their  arms  ;  in  thirty  minutes  she  walked  back  to  the  coach  with- 
out assistance,  perfectly  cured.  One  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  of  the  place 
had  been  treating  her  case,  but  could  not  effect  a  cure. 


THE  HEALER  IN  SALEM,  MASS.  1 7/ 

Mrs.  David  Porter,  of  South  Danvers,  had  suffered  from  tumor  of  three 
years'  standing.     With  two  operations  was  entirely  cured, 

Mrs.  James  Estes,  of  South  Danvers,  had  running  scrofula  sores  upon  one 
limb,  and  was  entirely  cured  in  forty-eight  hours  from  the  time  of  treatment. 

Miss  Matthews,  8  Ash  street,  Salem,  had  lost  the  use  of  her  voice  for  six 
years  ;  was  perfectly  restored  with  two  treatments. 

Ella  Meader,  daughter  of  Henry  Meader,  of  South  Danvers,  had  lost  her 
voice  for  thirteen  months ;  was  perfectly  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Mrs.  Chipman,  424  Essex  street,  Salem,  had  also  lost  her  voice  for  one  year ; 
was  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Alice  M.  Ward,  daughter  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  M.  Ward,  of  Haverhill,  Mass., 
had  stiff  fingers  on  one  hand  and  could  not  use  them  for  two  years ;  cured  with 
one  treatment. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Graves,  of  Marblehead,  was  lame  and  walked  with 
crutches  ;  cured  by  a  glove  being  presented  to  the  Doctor  by  her  son.  April  15th 
she  appeared  in  Lyceum  Hall  and  gave  testimony  to  the  above. 

Willie  Yeaw,  of  Northboro',  had  a  white  swelling  on  the  knee  ;  was  cured 
with  one  treatment. 

Jesse  L.  Yeaw,  of  Lynn,  was  afflicted  with  humor  in  one  eye,  from  the  effects 
of  which  he  had  lost  his  sight.  The  sight  was  restored  and  he  perfectly  cured 
with  two  treatments. 

As  many  people  are  always  ready  to  cry  out,  "  Oh,  the  cures  won't  remain 
permanent !  "  Mr.  Robinson  cites  the  following  case,  to  which  he  is  knowing.  It 
is  sufficient  for  the  present,  though  many  others  could  be  given : 

Mr.  John  Brimblecomb,  of  Lynn,  five  years  ago,  carried  his  daughter  to  Dr. 
Newton,  who  was  then  in  Boston,  to  be  treated  for  spinal  curvature,  with  which 
she  was  afflicted  and  very  much  deformed.  The  Doctor  saw  her  twice,  and  said 
if  his  directions  were  followed  implicitly  she  would  be  well  again.  She  was  re- 
stored to  health,  and  remains  cured  to  this  day.  She  visited  Lyceum  Hall,  April 
8th,  as  a  witness  of  the  wonderful  healing  powers  of  Dr.  Newton. 

The  above  cited  cases  represent  only  a  small  portion  of  the  cures  effected  by 
Dr.  Newton  while  in  Salem,  but  they  are  sufficient  to  illustrate  the  fact  that 
theory  and  practice,  or  faith  and  works,  can  go  hand  in  hand. 


From  the  Cape  Ann  Advertiser^  April  19,  1867  :- 
THE  POWER  OF  HEALING. 

Dr.  Newton,  who  has  been  practicing  at  Salem,  has  caused  great  excitement 
among  the  sick  in  Essex  county,  who  have  visited  him  by  hundreds.  A  large 
number  from  this  town  have  availed  themselves  of  the  privilege ;  and  being 
curious  to  witness  the  process  of  healing  used  by  the  Doctor,  we  visited  his 
rooms  one  day  this  week.  There  were  present  some  twenty-five  persons  afflicted 
with  divers  diseases,  such  as  spinal  difficulties,  rheumatism,  lung  complaints, 

12 


178  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

catarrh,  softening  of  the  brain,  weak  ej^es,  throat  diseases,  etc.  We  passed  into 
the  room  and  had  a  good  opportunity  of  witnessing  the  various  operations.  The 
Doctor  enquires  the  disease  and  then  commences  his  manipulations,  assuring  the 
patient  that  he  is  benefiting  them  and  commanding  them,  if  lame,  to  walk,  if 
blind,  to  see,  if  weak,  to  be  strong.  Those  whom  he  treated  in  our  presence  did 
show  marked  signs  of  improvement  at  once,  but  whether  or  not  it  will  be  perma- 
nent we  are  not  at  this  writing  prepared  to  state.  At  some  future  time  we  intend 
to  speak  of  this  subject  again,  as  we  wish  to  observe  the  result  of  some  very  bad 
cases  in  this  vicinity,  which  are  now  under  his  treatment. 


From  the  Ban7ier  of  Lights  June,  1867  : — 

DR.  NEWTON  IN  CHELSEA. 

The  announcement  that  this  most  wonderful  healer  of  modern  times  was  to 
lecture  in  Library  Hall,  Chelsea,  on  Wednesday  evening,  June  12th,  and  at  the 
same  time  illustrate  his  power  of  causing  aches,  pains,  complaints  and  diseases, 
either  of  long  or  short  standing,  to  instantaneously  '*  depart,"  drew  together  an 
audience  only  limited  to  the  extreme  capacity  of  the  hall,  many  being  unable  to 
gain  admittance.  Apparently  one  solid  mass  of  vari-colored  humanity  was 
crowded  within  the  four  walls  of  the^room 

B.  T  Martin,  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  called  the  meeting  to  order,  and 
introduced  the  exercises  in  a  few  appropriate  remarks,  in  which  he  instanced  sev. 
eral  remarkable  cures  performed  by  the  Doctor,  which  had  come  under  his  own 
observation,  especially  that  of  his  little  boy,  who  was  completely  cured  of  deaf- 
ness, and  always  remained  so.  **         *         ***** 

Dr,  Newton  was  then  introduced,  and  proceeded  in  a  friendly  and  conversa- 
tional tone  to  explain  the  principle  involved  in  removing  physical  ills  by  laying  on 
of  hands — the  popular  method  practiced  by  Jesus  and  his  Apostles,  and  by  the 
ancients  generally.  Though  not  accustomed  to  public  speaking,  he  said,  he  ut- 
tered what  came  to  him,  without  fear  or  favor — fear  being  the  worst  of  enemies. 
This  was  illustrated  by  a  peculiar  case  which  occurred  in  Portland.  A  man  was 
brought  to  his  office  for  treatment,  whose  appearance  was  such  as  to  frighten,  and 
for  the  time  being  to  render  powerless  all  efforts  to  help  him ;  and  not  until 
every  vestige  of  this  element  of  fear  was  removed,  was  the  man  relieved. 

[A  report  of  the  lecture  here  follows  at  some  length — substantially  the  same 
as  given  elsewhere,  and  therefore  omitted.] 

The  Doctor's  remarks  were  interspersed  with  pertinent  reference  to  parties  who 
had  been  cured  of  all  sorts  of  maladies.  Many  valuable  suggestions,  real  philo- 
sophic gems,  were  scattered  throughout  the  lecture,  while  tlie  whole  was  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  the  rarest  brotherly  and  fraternal  love.  Among  other  memor- 
able sayings,  he  made  the  medical  prediction  that  hardly  twenty  years  would 
e'apse  before  the  present  allopathic  method  of  treatment  would  become  obsolete. 

But  for  the  confusion  at  the  door,  caused  by  the  pressure  of  the  crowd,  the 
meeting  would  have  been  far  more  harmonious,  and,  per  consequence,  a  much 


THE    HEALER    IN    PORTLAND,    ME.  1/9 

greater  success.  Yet  notwithstanding  this  disturbance,  which  made  it  very  diffi- 
cult for  the  Doctor  to  connectedly  continue  his  remarks,  the  results  of  the  meet- 
ing were  marvelous.  At  the  conclusion  of  his  address,  he  asked  those  who  were 
suffering  from  acute  diseases  only,  to  rise,  and  he  would  endeavor  to  cure  them. 
Apparently  some  two  dozen  persons  arose,  when  the  doctor,  aggregating  within 
himself  great  electrical  power,  as  though  he  was  a  battery  fully  charged,  suddenly 
extended  his  arms  and  exclaimed,  "Be  healed;  disease  depart;  now  your  pains 
have  all  left  you  " — when  most  of  them  immediately  sat  down.  Two  or  three 
hard-shell  or  obstinate  cases,  however,  called  for  additional  treatment ;  one  of 
them  proving  to  be  a  case  of  chronic  rheumatism,  and  the  other  was  a  displaced 
bone  in  a  man's  wrist,  which  as  soon  as  the  Doctor  took  hold  of  it,  it  became  ad- 
justed, making  a  noise  loud  enough  to  be  heard  by  those  standing  near.  By  this 
time,  the  platform  whereon  the  doctor  stood  was  fairly — nay,  unfairly — taken  pos- 
session of  by  an  eager  crowd  of  unfortunate  ones  who  sought  the  magical  touch  or 
healing  power  of  this  wonder-worker.  Pains  were  removed  in  head,  back,  limbs, 
side,  &c. ;  also  cases  of  rheumatism,  asthma,  heart  disease,  deafness — one  case  of 
twenty  years,  and  another  of  five  years,  the  former  being  made  to  hear  the  ticking 
of  a  watch,  and  the  other  voluntarily  stating  to  the  audience,  many  of  whom  had 
long  known  him  and  his  condition,  that  without  touch  he  had  been  cured  since 
entering  the  hall,  and  could  now  hear  a  whisper.  A  man  with  a  cancer  on  his 
cheek  was  greatly  relieved,  being  able  to  shout  aloud,  though  on  coming  to  the 
hall  he  could  only  half  articulate  or  mumble.  A  case  of  defective  eyesight  for 
fourteen  years,  six  of  which  had  been  passed  in  the  Blind  Asylum,  was  relieved  in 
one  operation,  to  such  an  extent  that  the  party  could  distinguish  across  the  hall. 
And  so  the  list  might  be  indefinitely  extended,  but  already  is  this  communication 
too  long. 

The  friends  in  Chelsea  deserve  a  vote  of  thanks  for  giving  the  public  a  free 
opportunity  to  witness  such  an  exhibition  of  the  healing  art — one  of  the  phases  of 
Spiritualism.    The  gratitude  and  blessing  of  thousands  go  with  Doctor  Newton. 

G.  A.  B. 


From  the  Portland  Transcript : — 

Dr.  Newton. — By  a  notice  in  to-night's  paper  it  will  be  seen  that  Dr.  New- 
ton's stay  is  limited  to  a  few  more  days.  We  can  only  say  that  the  ministrations 
of  this  man  have  been  scarcely  less  than  miraculous.  Hundreds  have  been 
raised  from  sickness  to  apparent  health  at  a  touch  of  his  hand.  We  do  not  write 
this  as  a  puff,  at  all.  We  are  as  much  at  fault  in  regard  to  this  wonderful  man  as 
any  member  of  the  community.  But  through  some  agency-he  has  done  cures 
never  performed  to  our  knowledge  by  any  other  living  man. 


The  following  letter  from  a  grateful  mother  is  of  a  later  date  : — 

Falmouth,  Mass.,  March  2^th,  1869. 
Dr.  J.  R.  Newton — Dear  Sir:    I  feel  that  I  must  write  you  a  few  lines,  to 


l80  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

express,  m  an  imperfect  manner,  our  gratitude  to  you  for  what  you  were  per- 
mitted, through  our  Heavenly  Father,  to  do  for  my  daughter,  Minnie  Lawrence. 
Perhaps  you  may  remember  the  circumstances.  I  took  her  to  you  the  i6th  of 
March.  She  had  been  almost  helpless  for  nearly  a  year  and  a  half,  (that  is  in  re- 
gard to  walking,)  through  the  effects  of  scarlet  fever.  In  fifteen  minutes  you  pro- 
nounced her  cured.  She  is  our  only  child,  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  perhaps 
you  may  imagine  her  father's  feelings  when  he  received,  in  a  distant  city,  the  glad 
tidings  that  she  was  cured. 

Every  one  pronounces  it  a  most  wonderful  cure.  The  most  faithless  can  but 
believe,  when  they  see  her  walking  our  streets.  We  owe  you  a  debt  of  gratitude 
that  we  can  never  repay.  You  presented  her  with  your  likeness — money  could 
not  buy  it  of  her.  May  you  long  be  spared  to  labor  on  in  the  good  work  in 
which  you  are  engaged.  .  From  the  depths  of  a  full  heart. 

Yours  truly,  MARY  LAWRENCE. 


I 


ECHOES  FROM  FOREIGN  LANDS. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


ECHOES    FROM    FOREIGN    LANDS 


Testimony  of  Rev.  F.  R.  Young,  of  Swindon,  Eng. — He  crosses  the  ocean  to  seek  a  cure, 
and  finds  it. — Enters  upon  "  a  New  Phase  of  Existence." — Witnesses  other  cures,  and 
describes  what  he  saw. — Testimony  of  Mr.  Arthur  Whitten,  of  Calcutta. — A  marvellous 
narrative. 

The  work  of  Dr.  Newton  had  for  a  long  time  attracted  attention 
in  other  parts  of  the  world  besides  America,  and  the  press  of  differ- 
ent countries  had  published  accounts  of  his  wonderful  achievements 
in  healing  disease.  Many  persons  from  abroad  were  attracted  to 
visit  the  Healer — some  as  invalids,  seeking  the  exercise  of  his  re- 
markable powers  in  their  own  behalf,  others  as  curiosity-seers,  or 
seekers  after  truth  for  the  benefit  of  mankind. 

Among  the  former  class  was  the  Rev.  F.  R.  Young,  a  clergyman 
residing  in  Swindon,  England,  who,  after  his  return  to  that  country, 
published  a  narrative  of  his  cure  in  the  North  Wilts  Herald.  This, 
slightly  abbreviated,  we  transfer  to  these  pages,  as  follows  : — 

From  the  North  Wilts  Herald^  Swindon,  Eng. 

PARTICULARS  OF  MY  CURE  BY  DR.  NEWTON. 

Rose  Cottage,  Swindon, 

August  5,  1868. 

I  had  hoped  to  have  postponed  the  particulars  of  my  cure  wrought  in  America 
to  the  last  letter  in  the  present  series.  But  recent  circumstances  have  compelled 
me  to  believe  that  it  would  be  altogether  better  for  the  interests  of  truth  that  I 
should  at  once  give  you  these  particulars,  and  thus  stop  the  mouths  of  many  per- 
sons who  are  giving  currency  to  all  kinds  of  speculations,  and  misleading  the 
public  mind,  as  they  are  pretty  sure  to  do.  These  are  the  facts,  and  for  my  state- 
ment, I  need  scarcely  say,  I  pledge  my  word  and  honor. 

Friday,  May  22,  of  the  present  year  will  forever  remain  one  of  the  most  mem. 
orable  days  of  my  life.  It  was  on  that  day,  when  the  sun  was  shining  brightly  and 
bathing  the  dear  old  world  with  its  blessed  light  and  heat,  that  I  arrived  at  New 


1 82  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

port,  Rhode  Island,  by  one  of  the  river  steamers,  and  first  came  under  the  heal- 
ing powers  of  Dr.  James  Rogers  Newton,  a  name  almost  as  well  known  in  Amer- 
ica as  that  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  I  had  heard  of  this  great  medium  through  the 
pages  of  the  '*  Spiritual  Magazine,"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Howitt,  and  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin Coleman,  of  Norwood,  and  was  assured,  especially  by  these  friends,  that  if 
I  placed  myself  in  Dr.  Newton's  hands,  I  should  be  speedily  and  radically  cured 
of  the  neuralgic  affection  in  my  head,  from  which  I  had  been  suffering  since  1S57. 
The  accounts  of  this  remarkable  man  which  had  come  under  my  notice  had  been 
so  astonishing,  and  so  very  much  resembled  the  accounts  we  have  in  the  four 
Gospels  of  the  miracles  of  our  Lord,  that  it  was  not  until  I  had  become  a  little 
more  familiar  with  some  of  the  facts  and  phenomena  of  modern  spiritualism  that 
I  came  to  have  an  assured  faith  in  the  power  of  Dr.  Newton  to  remove  my  disease. 
But  at  length  I  attained  to  that  state  of  mind,  and  becoming  satisfied  that  it  was 
my  duty  to  go  and  see  him,  and  place  myself  in  his  hands,  I  at  once  made  arrange- 
ments for  doing  so.  I  left  Liverpool  for  New  York  on  May  9,  and  arrived  at  the 
latter  place  on  the  evening  of  May  19.  After  spending  a  day  in  New  York,  I 
embarked  in  one  of  the  river  boats  for  Newport,  and  on  arriving  there  at  once 
wended  my  way  towards  Dr.  Newton's  residence,  fortified  with  letters  of  introduc- 
tion from  Mr.  Howitt  and  Mr  Coleman.  The  Doctor's  residence  is  a  splendid 
old  house,  built  entirely  of  brick,  and  having  connected  with  it  many  associations 
of  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  As  the  sunshine  of  that  bright  May  morning 
lighted  up  the  face  of  the  Narragansett  Bay,  and  made  the  very  streets  of  New- 
port look  cheerful,  it  seemed  like  the  Divine  benediction  falling  out  of  the 
heavens  upon  the  step  I  was  taking,  and  as  I  entered  the  office,  or,  as  we  in 
England  should  call  it,  the  surgery,  of  Doctor  Newton,  I  felt  a  quiet  confidence 
that  I  was  in  the  path  of  duty  in  which  God  had  designed  that  I  should  walk. 
The  moment  the  Doctor  and  I  met,  I  found  in  his  benevolent  face  and  simple 
kindly  manner  the  human  image  of  the  outside  sunshine,  and  but  few  words  had 
been  spoken  before  I  was  convinced  that  the  errand  upon  which  I  had  come 
would  be  fulfilled.  I  was  about  to  give  him,  as  was  perfectly  natural,  a  detailed 
outline  of  my  affliction,  when  he  stopped  me  at  once  by  saying  that  "  after  I  had 
been  cured  he  would  be  very  glad  to  listen  to  anything  I  might  desire  to  say,  but 
that  my  cure  was  the  first  thing  to  be  attended  to."  He  then  poured  several 
gallons  of  very  hot  water  upon  my  head.  After  my  head  had  been  dried  with 
coarse  towels,  I  was  made  to  sit  upon  a  movable  seat,  similar  to  a  music  stool, 
the  Doctor  standing  behind  me  and  placing  my  head  against  his  chest,  with  his 
two  hands  crossed  upon  my  forehead.  In  this  position  he  moved  my  head  in 
various  directions,  until  suddenly  we  both  heard  a  clicking  noise,  issuing,  as  it 
seemed  to  me,  from  the  top  of  my  spine.  At  once  the  Doctor  cried  out,  "  You 
hear  that :  it  is  the  sign  that  you  will  be  cured,  for  the  disturbance  of  the  nerve 
current  has  been  removed."  He  then  faced  me,  and  taking  my  hands  in  his,  he 
lifted  our  four  hands  towards  Heaveh,  and,  looking  me  hard  in  the  eyes,  said, 
"  Look  at  me.  In  the  name  of  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  and  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  great  Healer,  I  bid  this  disease  depart  from  this  dear  suffering  brother, 
and  nevermore  afflict  him.  It  is  gone,  it  is  gone,  it  is  gone  for  ever,  my  brother  ; 
you  are  cured ;  rise  up  on  your  feet.'-'    At  that  instant  I  felt  a  strong  current  of 


ECHOES    FROM    FOREIGN    LANDS.  1 83 

new  life  flowing  into  and  through  every  part  of  my  body,  and  I  was  conscious  that 
I  had  entered  upon  an  altogether  new  phase  of  existence.  From  that  day  to  the 
present  hour  I  have  been  entirely  free  from  my  old  pain,  and  have  felt  as  well  as  it 
is  possible  for  any  human  being  to  feel.  Physically  speaking,  I  am  "  a  new  creature, 
for  old  things  have  passed  away  and  all  things  have  become  new."  I  can  now  go 
through  more  than  double  the  amount  of  my  former  work,  and  feel  no  sensations 
of  weariness,  while  I  can  sleep  almost  at  any  moment  that  I  wish  to  do  so,  and 
through  the  entire  night,  whereas,  before  Dr.  Newton's  healing  hands  had  been 
laid  upon  me,  sleep  and  I  had  been  by  no  means  near  acquaintances ;  indeed, 
oftentimes,  woo  it  as  I  would,  it  would  still  keep  far  from  me.       *      *      *      * 

And  now  I  wish  to  add  that  wonderful  as  my  case  is,  it  is,  as  far  as  Dr.  New. 
ton  is  concerned,  only  one  of  thousands,  for  he  has  cured  almost  every  form  of 
disease,  and  removed  almost  every  kind  and  degree  of  suffering  ;  in  fact,  he  ap- 
pears to  have  done  everything  in  the  healing  and  curing  way  but  that  of  raising 
the  dead.  And  yet  e^  en  he  does  not  cure  all  cases  with  which  he  comes  into  con- 
tact, while  his  failures  enable  him  to  keep  alive  the  consciousness  that  it  is  not  he 
who  cures,  but  God,  who  works  in  him  and  tlirough  him,  "  of  His  own  good 
pleasure."  He  tells  me  that  he  has  cured  something  like  a  quarter  of  a  million 
people,  and  that  he  would  have  cured  as  many  more  if  as  many  more  had  exer- 
cised the  power  of  faith  in  God.  Dr.  Newton  is  an  extremely  simple-minded  and 
most  benevolent  man,  and  gives  himself  none  of  the  airs  of  a  quack  or  charlatan. 
Indeed,  his  long  experience  must  many  a  year  ago  have  convinced  him  that  the 
power  he  possesses  is  a  delegated  one,  and,  therefore,  that  it  would  be  in  the 
highest  degree  indecent  for  him  to  be  puffed  up  by  it,  or  pretend  to  be  what  he 
really  is  not.  A  very  large  majority  of  his  cures  are  done,  by  him  without  fee  or 
reward  of  any  kind.  In  my  own  case  he  steadily  refused  to  receive  any  remuner- 
ation,  although  I  offered  him  a  hundred  dollar  bill,  and  I  saw  him  act  in  the  like 
manner  towards  several  other  patients. 

During  my  stay  in  Newport,  I  witnessed  several  instances  of  Dr.  Newton's 
healing  power,  some  of  them  being  so  manifest  and  wonderful  as  to  defy  all  at- 
tempts at  explaining  them  away  by  what  is  called  "  natural  means."  On  the  very 
morning  when  my  own  cure  was  effected,  I  saw  him  cure  a  poor  paralytic  woman, 
who  for  three  years  had  been  unable  to  walk  without  the  aid  of  crutches,  and 
even  then  only  in  a  partial  degree.  This  woman  was  brought  by  her  parents,  and 
in  less  than  five  minutes  from  the  time  when  she  had  come  under  Dr.  Newton's 
power,  she  got  up  from  off  the  sofa  on  which  she  had  been  placed,  walked  away 
up  the  street  and  back  again,  a  full  mile,  and  afterwards  walked,  ran,  jumped  and 
danced,  as  so  many  signs  that  her  cure  was  a  complete  one.  On  that  very  same 
morning,  I  also  saw  him  cure  a  young  man  whose  left  hand  was  withered,  and 
this  was  effected  in  as  brief  a  space  of  time  as  it  has  taken  me  to  write  down 
these  words  about  him.  Indeed,  I  might  have  seen,  day  by  day,  and  almost  hour  by 
hour,  examples  of  his  healing  power,  had  I  chosen  to  have  done  so.  Every  now 
and  again  there  are  trains  freighted  from  Boston,  Providence  and  the  neighbor- 
hood, with  the  lame,  the  halt,  and  the  diseased,  sometimes  to  the  number  of  500 
or  600  passengers.  These  all  come  to  receive  benefit  from  Dr.  Newton,  and  a 
large  majority  of  them  are  invariably  sent  away  perfectly  cured.     In  one  part  of 


184  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

the  Doctor's  office  there  is  a  room  of  considerable  size,  full  of  crutches,  walking 
sticks,  spectacles,  eye-shades,  bandages,  and  other  memorials  of  disease  and  sick- 
ness, which  have  been  left  behind  by  patients  as  so  many  signs  and  trophies  of 
their  cure.  While  I  was  in  Newport,  Boston,  New  York  and  other  places,  I 
made  searching  enquiries  relative  to  Dr.  Newton  and  his  antecedents,  and  all  the 
replies  I  obtained  were  eminently  favorable  to  him,  while  even  those  who  still 
had  lingering  doubts  about  some  of  his  cures,  never  for  one  moment  attempted  to 
cast  the  slightest  suspicion  upon  him  as  a  man.  Indeed,  I  could  not  see  what 
room  there  could  be  for  their  doing  so.  He  is  so  open-hearted  and  child-like 
that  any  man  who  comes  into  contact  with  him  must  feel  at  once  that  he  is  deal- 
ing with  an  honest  man,  who  has  a  deep  and  humble  sense  that  he  is  but  an 
agent  in  the  hands  of  the  Eternal  Father  to  benefit  his  suffering  brethren  and 
sisters. 

And  now  there  is  one  question  which  certain  persons  will  no  doubt  put  to  me. 
"If  what  you  say  of  Dr.  Newton  be  true,  how  is  it  that  the  suffering  world,  of 
America  at  least,  does  not  go  out  to  him,  as  far  as  it  has  the  opportunity  of  doing 
it?"  My  reply  is  a  simple,  and,  I  would  venture  to  add,  satisfactory  one.  Dr. 
Newton  does  not  cure  every  case  which  is  brought  to  him,  nor  does  he  so  much 
as  attempt  to  do  it.  Now  all  these  cases  of  failure  are  just  so  many  stumbling 
blocks  in  the  way  of  faith  of  those  who  might  otherwise  believe  in  him,  while  they 
are  convincing  proofs  to  me  that  the  power  he  possesses  is  not  inherent  but  de- 
rived. Because  he  fails  in  some  cases  out  of — say,  a  thousand — therefore,  for 
such  is  the  popular  inference,  he  cannot  cure  as  he  is  said  to  do.  The  logic  of 
such  an  argument  is  very  pitiful  indeed.  Can  we  not  recollect  that  when  our 
Lord  was  on  the  earth,  He  could  not  do  many  of  His  mighty  works  because  of 
the  unbelief  of  the  people,  and  if,  in  His  day,  and  in  the  East,  the  power  of  such 
a  Being  as  He  was  could  be  doubted,  and  by  that  doubt  restricted,  is  it  very  won- 
derful that  even  Dr.  Newton's  power  may  be  called  in  question,  and  thus  be 
limited  ?  "  The  disciple  is  not  above  his  master.  It  is  enough  for  the  disciple 
that  he  be  as  his  master." 

Dr.  Newton  asked  me  if  I  had  faith  in  his  power  to  cure  me,  and  my  reply 
was  that  I  had  come  3,000  miles  to  see  him,  and  could  give  him  no  better  answer 
to  his  question.  No  doubt  faith  in  the  patient  has  very  much  to  do  with  the 
patient's  cure.  And  why  should  we  **who  profess  and  call  ourselves  Christians," 
and  who  have  the  four  Gospels  before  us,  be  surprised  at  such  a  condition,  or 
curl  the  lip  at  those  who  demand  it?  Have  we  not  read  that  most  beautiful  and 
touching  narrative  in  the  9th  chapter  of  St.  Mark's  Gospel,  which  treats  of  the 
cure  of  the  poor  boy  who  had  been  suffering  from  epilepsy,  and  whose  disease 
had  at  last  resulted  in  dumbness  and  deafness  ?  When  the  father  of  the  child 
appealed  to  our  Lord,  He  said  unto  him,  "If  thou  canst  believe — all  things  are 
possible  to  him  that  believeth."  As  though  our  Lord  had  said,  "  The  question  is 
not  about  my  ability  to  cure  your  child,  but  about  your  faith  in  that  ability.  I 
can  cure  him  if  you  can  believe  that  I  can  do  it."  I  grant  most  freely  that  Christ 
sometimes  cured  without  the  faith  of  the  patient,  but  this  only  proves  not  that 
faith  is  unnecessary,  but  that  it  is  not  an  absolute  condition.  The  place  and 
power  of  faith  have  been  so  misapprehended,  and,  therefore,  misrepresented  by 


ECHOES  FROM  FOREIGN  LANDS.  1^5 

theologians,  that  few  people  realize  how  simple  and  yet  how  powerful  a  thing  it 
is.  The  history  of  the  world,  and  especially  of  all  great  movements  such  as  those 
commenced  by  Luther,  George  Fox,  Wesley  and  others,  attest  beyond  dispute 
the  truth  of  what  Christ  said  to  the  two  blind  men,  "According  to  your  faith  be  it 
unto  you,"  I  admit  that  when  I  went  to  America  I  did  so  fully  believing  that 
Dr.  Newton  would  cure  me,  and  I  do  not  know  that  there  is  anything  unreason- 
able in  the  supposition  that  my  confidence  had  something  to  do  with  my  cure. 

This  is  a  true,  full  and  particular  account  of  the  wonderful  blessing  which  has 
come  to  me  through  the  agency  of  Dr.  Newton.  *  *  *  * 

FREDERIC  ROWLAND  YOUNG. 


Another  visitor  was  Mr.  Arthur  Whitten,  a  resident  of  Calcutta, 
India,  a  tourist,  who,  on  returning  to  that  country,  published  a  vol- 
ume entitled  ''^  Notes  of  a  Tour  in  America  and  Canada,  during  May , 
jfune  and  July,  1869,"  printed  at  the  Englishmen's  Press,  Calcutta, 
1870.     In  this  work  is  given  the  following  account  of  the  author's 

VISITS  TO  DR.  NEWTON. 

Friday,  May  \Afh. — We  drove  this  morning  to  see  Dr.  Newton  and  his 
patients  "  at  home."  The  house  is  situated  in  a  quiet  street,  and  is  approached 
by  a  flight  of  stone  steps  ;  leading  from  the  entrance  hall  are  the  patients'  waiting 
room  and  secretary's  office.  When  we  arrived,  at  eleven  o'clock,  there  were 
thirty  or  forty  persons  awaiting  his  or  her  turn  to  come  under  the  Doctor's  hands. 
We  were  conducted  to  the  next  floor  above,  and  took  our  seats  to  watch  the  pro- 
ceedings. The  patients  were  brought  up  by  the  secretary,  three  or  four  at  a 
time ;  when  cured,  a  bell  was  rung,  and  others  came  in.  Each  patient  was  re- 
ceived with  kindly  words  and  gentleness  of  manner.  With  very  few  exceptions, 
they  were  all  as  perfect  strangers  to  Dr.  Newton  as  to  us.  They  had  come  far, 
even  from  the  Southern  States,  to  be  treated.  There  had  been  no  communication 
between  them  beforehand ;  the  Doctor  knew  nothing  of  them  or  their  ailing  until 
placed  before  him  as  we  saw  them.  In  some  cases,  he  would  ask  the  nature  of 
their  complaints,  and  put  leading  questions  as  to  their  sufferings,  manner  of  liv- 
ing, occupation,  etc.  But  not  unfrequently  he  would  say,  "  You  need  not  tell  me 
what  is  the  matter  with  you  ;  I  know  very  well."  If  the  case  was  one  of  lung  dis- 
ease, he  examined  the  heart  and  lungs  ;  and,  by  means  of  a  short  tube,  a  mag- 
netic current  was  breathed  through  their  bodies  to  the  point  indicated  by  the 
Doctor's  finger,  the  current  being  diverted  at  will  from  one  lung  to  the  other.  The 
effect  was  described  as  being  like  a  burning  fluid  passing  through  the  heart  and 
lungs.  Then  they  were  made  to  raise  their  arms,  to  "  squat  right  down  " — to  use 
the  Doctor's  own  words — and  rise  again.  Then  he  would  throw  upon  them  the 
magnetic  current  from  his  own  body,  and  in  the  name  of  God  command  the  dis- 
ease to  depart. 


1 86  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Consumption  makes  fearful  ravages  among  men  and  women  in  America. 
During  this  and  subsequent  visits  to  Dr.  Newton,  we  witnessed  the  treatment  of 
many  persons  suffering  from  this  disease,  and  we  remarked  that  almost  every  one 
of  them  admitted,  on  being  interrogated,  that  they  were  in  the  habit  of  sleeping 
with  their  arms  extended  on  the  pillow  above  their  heads ;  and  all  were  strictly 
enjoined  to  discontinue  a  practice  conducive,  more  than  any  other  cause,  to  con- 
sumption and  disease  of  the  heart.  The  most  interesting  case  we  saw  to-day  was 
the  treatment  of  a  lunatic  woman.  We  witnessed  it  from  first  to  last,  and  can 
vouch  that,  after  two  treatments,  she  was  restored  to  a  sane  and  cheerful  woman. 
She  was  a  respectable  person,  about  forty  years  of  age,  accompanied  by  her 
sister  and  grown-up  daughter.  Some  late  trouble  had  so  preyed  upon  her  mind 
that  she  lost  her  senses ;  she  was  not  violent,  but  had  to  be  carefully  watched. 
Her  cries  and  moans  were  most  distressing.  From  the  moment  of  her  entrance 
she  kept  using  the  expression,  "  I  want  to  be  saved — I  want  to  be  saved,"  in  a 
whining,  idiotic  manner  ;  she  said  nothing  else.  Her  eyes  were  widely  expanded, 
the  eyebrows  raised,  the  face  bearing  the  impress  of  fear,  or  dread  of  some  im- 
pending danger.  She  had  been  under  medical  treatment ;  but  the  symptoms  had 
become  less  favorable,  and  at  length  she  was  brought  to  Dr.  Newton.  He  ex- 
amined her,  and  found  her  a  healthy  woman,  and  he  now  used  all  his  powerful 
magnetic  force  to  calm  and  soothe  her.  After  some  persuasion,  she  was  taken 
into  the  adjoining  room,  where  hot  water  was  laid  on,  and  her  head  being  placed 
over  a  small  reservoir,  a  stream  of  water  gradually  heated  up  to  one  hundred 
and  twenty  degrees  was  poured  upon  it  for  a  period  of  fifteen  to  twenty  minutes. 
It  was  then  dried,  and  the  magnetic  process  was  continued  until  she  ceased  talk- 
ing so  wildly.  The  treatment  for  the  day  was  then  over.  She  was  to  be  taken 
home,  have  hot  water  applied  three  or  four  times  to  the  top  of  her  head,  and  be 
brought  again  on  the  morrow.  The  Doctor  went  on  with  other  cases  as  fast  as 
they  could  be  brought  to  him,  and  certainly  there  was  no  failure.  Whether  the 
cure  was  permanent,  we  could  not  then,  of  course,  determine.  But  as  regards 
the  lunatic  woman,  we  were  curious  to  witness  the  result  of  the  treatment ;  and, 
without  any  intimation  to  the  Doctor  of  our  intention,  we  paid  him  another  visit 
at  about  the  same  hour  on  the  morning  of 

Saturday,  \^th. — There  was  the  usual  crowd  of  patients — some  with  paralyzed 
arms,  hands  or  feet,  some  deaf,  some  suffering  with  tumor,  catarrh,  rheumatism, 
lung  disease,  cancer  and  others  perfect  cripples.  On  one  woman  with  a  swollen 
leg,  the  veins  black  and  the  skin  of  the  foot  ready  to  burst,  a  cure  was  effected 
in  five  minutes.  She  was  helped  up  stairs,  being  unable  to  walk  alone.  She 
could  not  bend  her  toes  or  ankle-joints  ;  and  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  record 
this,  she  was  made  to  walk  about  the  room  and  run  down  stairs  like  a  young  girl. 
Her  face  was  radiant  with  delight.  No  medicine,  no  hot  water  or  any  agent 
whatever  was  applied  besides  the  doctor's  hands.  The  thing  was  done  without 
pain,  too,  and  instantly.  So  with  a  young  girl  who  had  a  tumor  on  her  neck  from 
which  she  had  suffered  for  years.  By  a  few  strokes  of  his  hand  the  swelling  dis- 
appeared like  magic,  and  the  girl  was  perfectly  cured.  I  have  the  names  and  ad- 
dresses of  all  the  persons  whose  cases  are  referred  to ;  and  as  they  are  so  remark- 
able, I  will  dot  down  a  few  others. 


/ 


ECHOES  FROM  FOREIGN  LANDS.  1 8/ 

A  young  man  of  twenty-one  years,  paralytic  from  childhood,  was  conveyed  to 
the  Doctor's  house,  and  with  one  treatment  was  made  to  walk  without  limping, 
and  to  hold  a  chair  above  his  head — a  thing  he  had  not  done  in  his  life  before. 

An  unmarried  lady,  brought  on  a  couch,  suffering  from  disease  of  the  spine, 
unable  to  walk  for  three  years,  was  cured  at  once,  and  walked  home. 

A  man,  lame,  was  cured  in  fifteen  minutes,  and  walked  without  limping,  leav- 
ing his  crutch  and  cane  behind  him. 

A  lady  with  heart  disease,  and  bed-ridden  for  some  years,  was  cured  in  one 
treatment,  and  walked  away. 

A  lady  with  large  tumor  was  brought  from  her  bed  so  low  that  her  life  was 
despaired  of,  and  perfectly  cured. 

A  man  with  bad  scrofula  all  over  his  head  and  body,  was  cured,  and  the  skin 
made  perfectly  clear  with  one  treatment. 

A  girl,  eleven  years  old,  with  loss  of  speech  for  two  years,  was  cured  at  once. 

A  girl  with  contracted  leg  was  cured  in  five  minutes. 

A  man  with  dyspepsia  and  liver  complaint  of  long  standing,  was  cured  with 
one  treatment. 

A  boy  fifteen  years  of  age,  paralyzed  eight  years,  the  left  side  powerless,  was 
restored  to  perfect  health  and  strength  with  one  treatment 

A  lady  with  cancer  on  her  eye  for  fifteen  years  was  perfectly  cured  with  one 
treatment. 

A  youth  partially  blind  from  birth  was  cured  in  one  treatment  to  read  fine 
print  without  glasses. 

When  the  lunatic  of  yesterday  entered,  the  change  in  her  appearance  was  very 
marked  ;  her  face  had  brightened  wonderfully,  the  look  of  despair  had  almost  left 
it,  she  quite  understood  and  answered  many  questions  put  to  her.  She  was  ac- 
companied as  before  by  her  sister,  daughter  and  a  young  child.  The  treatment 
of  yesterday  was  repeated — powerful  magnetic  shocks  and  the  application  of  hot 
water  to  the  crown  of  the  head  ;  and  in  half  an  hour  she  was  a  changed  woman  ; 
the  cloud  had  entirely  passed  from  her  face,  which  shone  with  smiles  as  she  took 
her  young  child  and  hugged  it  with  a  mother's  fond  embrace.  The  sight  was 
very  affecting  ;  she  was  quite  cured. 

After  an  early  dinner  we  took  the  cars  for  New  Bedford,  a  seaport  town  fifty- 
five  miles  from  Boston,  where  Dr.  Newton  was  to  meet  all  persons  desiring  to 
avail  themselves  of  his  healing  power.  The  fact  had  been  made  known  in  the 
public  journals  some  days  previously,  and  when  on  Sunday  morning  we  arrived 
at  the  City  Hall,  which  had  been  placed  at  the  Doctor's  disposal  for  the  occasion, 
we  found  eight  or  nine  hundred  people  there,  collected  from  the  surrounding 
country,  attracted  by  his  celebrity.  The  proceedings  commenced  with  an  ad- 
dress or  lecture  from  the  Doctor,  at  the  end  of  which  he  affirmed  that  he  would 
there  and  then  cure  all  persons  suffering  from  any  chronic  disorder,  and  all  so 
suffering  were  desired  to  stand  up,  while  those  whose  ailments  were  of  a  more 
serious  nature  were  to  remain  seated,  to  be  afterwards  treated  separately,  as  their 
necessities  required.  The  usual  method  of  sending  magnetic  shocks  to  the  per- 
sons standing  was  then  gone  through,  and  the  patients  so  operated  upon  sat 
down,  those  in  our  hearing  declaring  they  were  really  benefited.     The  Doctor 


1 88  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

was  on  a  raised  platform  facing  his  audience,  and  those  persons  present  suffering 
from  tumors,  rheumatism,  blindness,  deafness,  paralysis  and  such  like,  were 
directed  to  come  to  him.  They  were  assisted  up  the  steps  by  attendants  at  one 
end  of  the  platform,  were  cured  by  the  affected  parts  being  gently  rubbed  and 
magnetized,  and  then  passed  down  at  the  other  end.  From  beginning  to  end 
hundreds  passed  up  and  were  healed.  We  were  seated  in  the  foremost  row  of 
seats  and  could  see  everything  that  passed,  and  that  cures  were  effected  of  the 
most  miscellaneous  disorders  there  is  no  doubt  whatever.  I  content  myself  by 
reporting  one  case  in  particular. 

A  lady-like  woman  came  to  the  foot  of  the  platform,  and  addressing  the 
Doctor,  said  her  husband  was  very  sick,  too  ill  to  walk  or  be  brought  to  the  hall ; 
she  had  come  there  to  witness  for  herself  the  mode  of  Dr.  Newton's  treatment, 
and  from  what  she  had  seen  she  was  hopeful  that  he  would  be  able  to  benefit  the 
invalid.  From  our  position  we  could  hear  every  word  spoken.  She  was  re- 
quested to  ascend  the  platform,  and  did  so  ;  she  had  not  told  her  name,  nor  given 
any  particulars  of  her  husband's  sickness,  but  I  subsequently  learnt  that  she  was 
a  lady  well  known  and  respected  in  the  town,  and  that  many  persons  present 
were  well  aware  of  her  husband's  prostrate  condition.  The  Doctor  took  her  hand, 
and  reflecting  a  moment,  said,  "  I  see  your  husband  seated  in  an  invalid  chair  ; 
he  is  leaning  on  a  stick ;  I  will  send  a  shock  to  him  through  you  ;  mark  the 
time."  Here  he  produced  his  watch,  and  mentioned  the  hour  and  minute  indi- 
cated. He  then  continued,  "  As  I  send  this  shock  through  you  to  him  he  will 
feel  its  effects,  will  throw  down  his  stick  and  jump  up,  exclaiming,  *  What's 
that  ? '  "  The  proceedings  were  watched  with  the  greatest  interest,  and  not  only 
the  lady  spoken  to,  but  others  were  incredulous.  She  was  desired  to  go  home 
and  see  if  the  result  was  not  as  she  had  been  told  ;  but  still  hesitating,  the  Doctor 
directed  her  to  go  home  and  bring  her  husband  back  with  her.  She  demurred 
still,  saying  he  could  not  walk,  and  was  too  ill  to  come.  He  smiled  at  her  want 
of  faith,  and  at  length  she  complied  with  his  directions  and  went.  In  the  mean- 
while people  still  poured  up  the  end  of  the  platform,  were  treated  singly  or  in 
groups  of  threes  or  fours,  and  passed  down,  when  at  the  expiration  of  half  an 
hour  there  was  a  buzz  among  the  audience,  the  crowd  in  the  hall  opened,  and 
there  came  along  its  whole  length  a  man  and  a  woman  walking  easily  and  without 
effort.  The  wife,  whom  we  all  recognized,  had  brought  her  husband,  who  came 
with  a  smiling  face  and  light  step  to  thank  the  Doctor  for  his  miraculous  recov- 
ery. The  excitement  from  one  end  of  the  hall  to  the  other  was  intense.  The 
man  was  there,  a  living  evidence  of  a  wonderful  power  which  I  have  endeavored 
faithfully,  albeit  feebly  and  unworthily  to  describe. 

Sunday,  May  zyi. — I  was  enabled  during  this  day  and  yesterday  to  witness 
still  further  the  Doctor's  treatment  and  cure  of  numerous  cases.  In  the  room 
over  his  study  are  collected  hundreds — mind  I  am  not  exaggerating — hundreds  of 
crutches  and  walking-sticks,  that  had  helped  many  a  cripple  to  him  for  treatment, 
and  who,  being  cured,  had  left  them  there  as  being  no  further  required.  The 
Doctor  is  a  great  enthusiast,  and  devotes  his  whole  time  to  his  work ;  he  makes 
no  charges  to  any  one ;  those  who  can  pay  do  so  according  to  their  means. 


THE    GIFT    OF    HEALING    AND    MODERN    SPIRITUALISM.       1 89 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE   GIFT   OF   HEALING   AND   MODERN   SPIRITUALISM. 

The  Healer  aided  by  "  Ministering  Spirits." — A  "  stone  of  stumbling  ■'  to  many. — Relation 
between  the  healing  gift  and  Spiritualism. — The  healing  power  not  confined  to  the 
Church. — Has  existed  in  the  heathen  world  in  all  ages — Historical  testimonies.-^In 
China. — In  ancient  Greece. — In  ancient  Egypt. — In  ancient  Rome. — Appollonius. — 
Plotinus. — Jamblichus. — Among  modern  Pagans. — Not  a  monopoly. — Faith  in  in- 
visible powers  a  common  element. — Varying  conceptions  as  to  source. — Modern 
Spiritualism  has  revived  faith  in  invisible  powers. — An  illustrative  incident. — A 
mother  taught  by  a  spirit  to  heal  her  child. — The  Church  rejects  these  heavenly 
visitors,  and  so  receives  not  their  "  gifts." — Is  this  power  "  of  God." — God  the  Source 
of  all  good. — Healers  are  but"  instruments. — Angels  are  ministering  spirits,  and 
"  raised  "  spirits  are  "  equal  unto  the  angels." — Interesting  incident  in  Dr.  Newton's 
practice. 

Dr.  Newton  has  always  believed,  and  has  often  avowed  the  con- 
viction— as,  for  example,  in  his  public  address  in  New  York,  already- 
quoted — that  he  is  attended  and  assisted  in  his  wonderful  healing 
operations  by  hosts  of  invisible  angels  or  spirits,  who,  moved  with 
*' good-will  to  men,"  make  him  the  instrument  by  which  it  is  dis- 
pensed. Recognizing  the  curative  power  to  be  "  of  God,"  and  the 
same  in  nature  as  that  exercised  by  Jesus  and  His  Apostles,  he 
believes  it  to  be  conferred  upon  him  in  part  through  the  agency  of 
"  ministering  spirits."  Naturally,  he  has  been  most  readily  welcomed, 
believed  in,  and  co-operated  with,  by  that  class  of  the  community 
known  as  modern  Spiritualists. 

This  fact  has  been  a  "  stone  of  stumbling  and  rock  of  offence  "  to 
many  good  Christian  people,  who,  through  a  misapprehension  of 
the  facts  in  the  case,  as  is  believed,  have  thought  that  no  good 
could  possibly  come  out  of  that  Nazareth.  Many  who  at  first  have 
been  disposed  to  recognize  in  these  cures  "  the  great  power  of  God  " 
— the  same  that  was  displayed  in  New  Testament  times — have  been 
scandalized  and  turned  away,  perhaps  inclined  to  "forbid"  the 
work,  because  they  have  found  that  the  healer  "  followed  not  with 
them  "  in  some  of  their  cherished  religious  opinions.  And  no  doubt 
this  has  been  the  source  of  a  large  share  of  the  skepticism  and 


IQO  THE   MODERN   BETHESDA. 

obloquy — in  some  cases  virulent  opposition — which  his  benevolent 
work  has  encountered  from  members  of  Christian  Churches. 

It  is  proper,  therefore,  that  the  question  of  the  relation  between 
the  Gift  of  Healing  and  Modern  Spiritualism  should  be  fully  and 
fairly  considered  in  these  pages. 

In  the  first  place,  it  should  be  noted  that,  however  common  the 
exercise  of  the  healing  power  has  become  among  the  people  called 
modern  Spiritualists,  they  cannot  and  do  not  claim  that  it  originated 
with  them,  or  that  it  is  exclusively  confined  to  their  ranks.  On  the 
contrary,  the  evidence  is  abundant,  as  shown  in  the  introduction  to 
this  volume,  that  this  power  has  occasionally  been  exercised  in 
different  branches  and  sects  of  the  Christian  Church  ever  since  the 
days  of  the  Apostles,  even  until  the  present  time. 

Secondly,  let  the  fact  be  borne  in  mind,  as  also  pointed  out  in 
the  introduction,  that  the  various  "  gifts  of  the  spirit,"  including 
that  of  healing,  were  displayed  most  frequently  and  notably,  both  as 
regards  the  Christian  Church  at  large,  and  the  several  sects  where 
those  gifts  have  principally  appeared,  in  the  earlier  days  of  their 
existence,  while  their  founders  have  claimed  to  be  acting  wider  an 
immediate  impulse  from  the  invisible  realm.  And  those  gifts,  too, 
have  continued  to  be  exercised  for  the  longest  periods  in  those 
bodies  which  have  most  constantly  maintained  a  recognition  of  ever- 
present  spiritual  agencies  ;  while  they  have  declined  in  proportion 
as  sects  have  relapsed  into  dependence  on  forms,  creeds,  and  "  his- 
torical evidences." 

These  facts  have  most  important  significance  bearing  on  the 
question  in  hand.  And  their  meaning  will  become  still  more 
apparent  when  we  consider  a  further  fact,  to  wit : — 

Thirdly,  that  the  possession  and  exercise  of  this  healing  power 
has  not  been  by  any  means  confined  to  the  nominal  Christian  Church 
or  any  of  its  various  branches.  //  has  existed  outside  of  the  Church, 
in  the  so-called  heathen  world^  not  only  since,  but  long  before  the  advent 
of  ycsus. 

Ample  evidence  on  this  point  might  be  cited  from  various  sources, 
but  it  will  suffice  our  purpose  to  present  a  few  passages  from  the 
competent  authority  before  quoted,  namely,  Howitfs  History  of  the 
Supernatural. 

In  China.^"  Kircher  and  the  other  early  missionaries  relate,  that  though 


THE    GIFT    OF    HEALING    AND    MODERN    SPIRITUALISM.        IQI 

this  faith  "  [in  the  presence  and  power  of  spirits]  "  had  degenerated  into  some- 
thing more  like  demonology  than  anything  divine,  it  still  existed  in  all  its  strength  ; 
that  from  the  earliest  times  sickness  had  been  cured  by  the  laving  on  of  hands,  by 
breathing  on  the  affected  spot,  and  by  other  like  means.  Osbeck  and  Torceno,  in 
their  journey  to  the  East  Indies  and  China  in  1765,  declare  that  it  had  always 
been  customary  to  strengthen  weak,  sickly,  and  exhausted  persons,  by  meaiis  of  a 
gentle  pressure  of  the  hands  on  various  parts  of  the  body." — Vol.  i,  p.  322-3. 

In  Ancient  Greece. — "  The  temples  of  Greece  were  the  great  therapeutic 
halls  of  the  nation.  As  the  gods  gave  them  knowledge  of  future  events,  so  they 
believed  they  exerted  their  divine  powers  to  heal  the  diseases  and  remove  the 
sufferings  of  men.  Those  who,  like  iEsculapius,  became  celebrated  for  their 
healing  powers,  were  elevated  to  the  rank  of  gods,  and  had  temples  erected  to 
them,  whither  the  sick  flocked  in  crowds  for  relief.  This  system,  as  well  as  the 
mythology  of  Greece,  was  brought  from  Egypt,  where  the  priests  were  the 
physicians,  and,  as  it  now  z]i^t2iTS,  practiced  mesmeric  and  magnetic  science  for  the 
cure  of  diseases." — lb.  p.  367. 

In  Ancient  Egypt. — "  Amongst  the  paintings  in  their  temples  are  the  figures 
of  priests  in  the  attitude  of  making  mesmeric  passes,  and  others  of  patients  under 
manipulation,  or  thrown  into  the  magnetic  sleep.  Not  only  were  bronze  hands 
found  in  the  temples,  with  the  fingers  in  the  form  for  manipulating  (see  Mont- 
fau9on),  but  these  were  carried  in  the  festivals  of  Isis.  Anubis  is  seen  leaning  in 
the  sacred  pictures  over  the  bed  of  the  sick,  and  putting  his  hands  upon  them. 
The  patient  is  variously  seen,  in  the  sleep,  as  awaking  and  arising.  A  French 
author,  in  the  '  Annalen  der  Magnetisme  Animal,'  has  shown  fully  the  mesmeric 
nature  of  these  Egyptian  representatives.  'Magnetism,'  he  says,  ^7uas  daily 
practiced  in  the  temples  of  Isis,  Osiris,  and  Serapis.'  And  this  is  boriie  out  by  all 
the  ancient  historians  who  visited  Egypt." — p.  302. 

In  Ancient  Rome. — "  According  to  Livy,  Hygeia,  Isis,  Minerva,  Mercur}', 
and  Hercules,  besides  Jove  and  .^sculapius,  were  worshipped  as  healing  gods- 
What  is  now  called  mesmerism  was  everyday  practice  in  these  temples.  '  Un- 
questionably,' says  Kluge,  *  was  the  manipulation  with  strong  contact,  rubbing  and 
stroking  with  hajtds,  the  oldest  and  most  general  of  all  manipulations'  " — p.  372. 

After  giving,  from  the  Roman  historian  Tacitus,  an  account  of 
the  miraculous  healing  of  a  blind  man  and  a  paralytic  by  the 
Emperor  Vespasian,  our  author  adds  : — 

"  I  may  here  state  that  not  Vespasian  alone  amongst  the  Roman  emperors, 
but  Constantine  and  Yiz.dxxz.n  possessed  the  gift  of  healing  by  laying  on  of  their  hands^ 
and  Pyrrhus,  King  of  Epirus,  could  cure  affections  of  the  spleen  by  passing  hi.s 
foot  over  the  sufferers  as  they  lay  prostrate." — p.  389. 

01  Apollonius,  of  Tyana,  in  Asia  Minor,  born  about  the  same 
time  as  Jesus  Christ,  we  are  told  : — 

"  Wherever  he  went,  he  incited  to  purity,  to  prayer,  and  morality  ;  he  cured 
the  most  dangerous  diseases,  ■asidi  predicted  future  events.  He  cured  all  kinds  of 
diseases  by  precisely  mesmeric  means." — pp.  472-3. 


192  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Plotinus,  the  Alexandrian  Neo-Platonist,  taught  that 

"  We  may  regard  the  universe  as  filled  with  spirits,  and  animated  by  them. 
To  this  community  of  spirits  which  surrounds  us  in  manifold  forms,  man 
can  only  arrive  by  withdrawing  himself  from  the  outward  sensual  attractions. 
Thence  such  community  is  obtained  in  extasy,  which  is  generally  the  work  of  the 
spirits.  Plotinus  possessed  this  community,  and  from  it  drew  all  his  power  ;  by 
this  he  healed  the  most  dangerous  diseases,  zxv^  obtained  an  amazing  reputation  by 
foretelling  future  events,  and  performing  superhuman  acts." — p.  477. 

Jamblichus,  another  of  the  Neo-Platonists, 

*  Was  so  famous  for  his  learning  and  his  powers  of  healing  by  spirit-influence, 
that  Cunapiur  styled  him  thaumasion — worthy  of  admiration,  and  Proclus  theion, 
or  divine." — p.  478. 

To  these  historical  testimonies  we  will  only  add  that  an  obser- 
vant modern  traveller  has  found  the  practice  of  healing  by  the  lay- 
ing on  of  hands  and  equivalent  processes,  accompanied  by  more 
or  less  recognition  of  superhuman  aid,  to  be  common  at  the  present 
day  among  the  natives  of  Australia,  the  Fijii  Islands,  China,  and 
Constantinople.  [See  "  Around  the  World,"  by  J.  M.  Peebles 
(Boston,  1875),  pages  79,  119,  175  and  376.] 

It  is  thus  evident  that  this  healing  power  is  monopolized  by  no 
sect  or  church,  limited  to  no  age  or  country.  //  is  a  boon  to 
tmiversal  humanity^  available^  doubtless^  to  all  tvho  have  the  knowledge 
and  the  faith  which  enable  them  to  comply  with  the  conditions  on  which 
it  is  dispejised. 

Let  us  see  if  we  can  learn  what  those  conditions  are. 

It  is  plain  that  there  is  one  element  of  similarity  or  identity 
traceable  through  all  these  instances  of  supposed  miraculous  heal- 
ing, whether  ancient  or  modern,  whether  occurring  under  orthodox 
Christian,  heretical,  or  pagan  auspices.  That  element  is  Faith. 
On  the  part  of  either  the  healer  or  the  healed,  sometimes  both,  there 
has  been  faith  in  a  superior  benignant  Power,  that  compassionates 
human  suffering,  and  is  able  afid  willing  to  remove  it,  under  certain 
(doubtless  necessary)  conditions. 

Now  this  superior  Power  has  been  variously  conceived  of  by 
various  people — naturally  and  necessarily  so,  in  consequence  of  the 
varied  beliefs  in  which  the  people  of  different  sects,  religions,  and 
countries  have  been  educated.  The  South- Sea  Islanders  and  the 
Chinese,  witnessing  the  beneficent  effects  of  this  superhuman 
agency,  naturally  attribute  it  to  the  benign  spirits  of  their  ancestors 


THE    GIFT    OF    HEALING    AND    MODERN    SPIRITUALISM.       1 93 

hovering  around  them.  The  ancient  Greeks,  Eg}*ptians,  and  Romans 
recognized  in  this  Power  the  kindly  condescension  of  one  or  another 
of  their  many  apotheosized  deities,  as  Jove,  Isis,  ^sculapius, 
Hygeia,  &c.  Plotinus  felt  conscious  of  being  in  unity  with  a  vast 
"community  of  spirits,"  who  wrought  wonders  of  goodness  through 
him.  The  Mohammedan  is  sure  that  it  is  the  almighty  Allah  who 
displays  his  goodness  to  the  faithful ;  while  the  Christian  is  no  less 
confident  that  it  is  Jesus,  the  great  Healer  of  Judea,  who  is  per- 
sonally present  in  his  behalf,  or  at  least  that  the  marvellous  healing 
power  exhibited  must  proceed  direct  from  the  Christian  God,  the 
Universal  Father. 

Without  stopping  here  to  inquire  which  of  these  believers  is 
nearest  right,  or  farthest  wrong,  in  his  conception,  it  is  apparent, 
from  the  evidences  on  record,  that  the  beneficent  Healing  Power 
has  descended,  in  some  degree,  on  each  and  all.  The  one  common 
element  of  Faith,  it  would  seem,  has  potency  to  open  the  channel 
through  which  the  Curative  Energy  flows  forth  to  heal  and  bless 
humanity. 

Passing  for  the  present  a  full  analysis  of  the  nature  and  power 
of  faith  as  a  curative  agent,  all  can  see  that  this  is  highly  requisite  on 
the  part  of  a  healer,  in  so  far  as  he  is  a  medium  for  the  transmission 
of  power  from  sources  beyond  himself.  If  he  has  not  faith,  he  will 
not  attempt  to  exercise  the  gift.  Faith  is  very  desirable,  for  the 
best  success,  on  the  part  of  the  sufferer  also,  or  of  some  one  in 
sympathy  with  the  sufferer,  as  repeatedly  illustrated  in  the  facts 
given  in  this  book,  and  in  the  history  of  Jesus,  whose  power  was 
said  to  be  curtailed  by  unbelief.  And  in  cases  where  no  visible 
healer  or  medium  has  been  employed,  but  the  power  has  come 
direct  from  the  invisible  world  (as  in  several  instances  narrated  in 
our  introduction),  the  strongest  exercise  of  faith  in  an  unseen 
agency,  on  the  part  of  the  sufferer,  has  been  indispensable. 

In  the  light  of  all  these  facts,  we  are  now  fully  prepared  to 
answer  the  question,  what  relation  is  there  between  the  Gift  of 
Healing  and  Modern  Spiritualism  ? 

Just  this :  Modern  Spiritualism — whatever  errors  and  follies 
have  been  associated  with  it,  and  they  have  doubtless  been  many — 
has  brought  to  its  adherents  a  vivid  conviction  or  realization  of  the 

13 


194  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

presence  ajid  beneficent  power  of  the  spiritual  world.  It  has  broken 
through  the  wall  of  doubt  and  unbelief  which  the  Protestant  Church, 
in  conjunction  with  infidel  philosophers  and  mole-eyed  materialists, 
have  built  up  against  the  invisible  realm.  It  has  thus  caused  a 
wide-spread  revival  of  that  faith  in  unseen  beneficent  powers  which 
is  essential  to  the  vigorous  display  of  this  healing  potency. 

The  Christian  Church,  in  general,  or  any  one  of  its  numerous 
sects,  unquestionably  might  have  enjoyed  the  revival  of  this  its 
ancient  gift,  to  an  equal  degree,  had  it  presented  equally  favorable 
conditions;  or,  rather,  the  Church  evidently  would  never  have  lost 
the  exercise  of  this  and  other  "  gifts  of  the  spirit,"  enjoyed  in  its 
primitive  days,  but  for  its  ''  unbelief"  and  its  many  corruptions. 

But  this  point,  of  the  connection  between  the  revival  of  the  gift 
of  healing  and  Modern  Spiritualism,  is  well  illustrated  by  the 
following  incident,  for  the  truth  of  which  the  writer  can  vouch  : — 

"  In  the  early  days  of  Modern  Spiritualism,  when  healing  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands  or  by  spiritual  intervention,  had  been  scarcely  heard  of,  a  gentleman  and 
lady,  in  full  communion  with  one  of  the  so-called  orthodox  churches  in  the  city  of 

B ,  had  their  attention  enlisted  in  the  subject  of  spirit-communion  or  angelic 

ministry,  chiefly  through  strange  occurrences  taking  place  in  the  seclusion  of  their 
own  home.  The  lady  herself  became  conscious  of  the  ability  at  times,  to  see  and 
converse  with  the  beings  of  another  world,  and  her  hand  was  sometimes  controlled 
by  a  power  beyond  herself,  to  write  messages  purporting  to  come  from  departed 
friends. 

"  Before  their  convictions  were  fully  established  as  to  the  nature  and  source 
of  these  singular  occurrences,  they  one  day  received  a  visit  from  an  old  friend, 
from  whom  they  had  been  separated  since  their  school  days,  and  who  in  the  mean 
time  had  completed  his  collegiate  and  other  preparatory  studies,  and  had  become 
a  clergyman  of  the  same  faith  with  themselves. 

"  In  the  presence  of  such  a  guest,  the  lady  naturally  felt  timid  in  regard  to  the 
occurrence  of  any  of  the  strange  phenomena  referred  to,  and  supposing  the 
subject  would  not  be  agreeable  to  one  of  his  profession,  resolved  that  Spiritualism 
should  not  be  mentioned  during  his  stay,  if  in  her  power  to  prevent  it. 

"  In  the  evening,  while  all  were  engaged  in  conversation — the  lady  being 
occupied  with  her  needle,  an  infant  lying  beside  her  in  a  crib,  and  an  older  child, 
about  five  years  of  age,  lying  upon  a  couch,  quite  ill — the  lady's  right  hand  began 
to  move  involuntarily  and  beyond  her  power  of  control.  This  she  understood  as 
an  intimation  that  some  invisible  person  desired  to  write  through  her  instru- 
mentality ;  but,  for  the  reason  already  mentioned,  she  was  unwilling  to  comply. 
To  disguise  this  movement,  she  took  up  the  infant's  rattle,  and  for  a  moment 
pretended  to  be  amusing  the  child.  But  this  would  not  do ;  the  toy  was  thrown 
forcibly  from  her  hand  by  this  strange  power,  and  she  was  impelled  to  speak. 


THE    GIFT    OF    HEALING    AND    MODERN    SPIRITUALISM.        1 95 

"  '  Do  you  know  anything  of  Spiritualism  ? '  she  abruptly  asked  her  guest. 

"  '  I  have  heard  something  of  the  marvels  said  to  occur/  he  replied,  '  but  have 
never  witnessed  any  of  them.' 

"  *  Are  you  afraid  of  it }  '  she  asked. 

"  •  Oh,  no.     If  there  is  any  truth  in  it,  I  should  like  to  know  it,'  he  said. 

"  *  Well,'  she  continued,  *  I  am  desired  to  say  to  you  that  I  see  a  spirit  now 
standing  here,  who  wishes  to  be  recognized  by  you.  He  is  an  elderly  gentleman, 
with  gray  hair,  and  resembles  your  father,  only  he  looks  to  be  much  older  than  your 
father  was  when  I  last  saw  him.'  (She  had  known  the  clergv-man's  father  in 
former  years,  but  he  had  gone  to  a  foreign  country  since  she  had  seen  him.)  '  Is 
your  father  deceased } '  she  inquired. 

" '  He  was  living  at  my  last  information,'  was  the  reply. 

"  *  Vour  grandfather  !  He  says  he  is  your  grandfather,^  she  was  impelled  to 
say,  with  emphasis,  by  a  force  evidently  beyond  herself. 

"  *  My  grandfather  lived  and  died  in  Scotland,  many  years  ago,'  said  the  clerg)'- 
man.  *I  have  never  seen  him  since  I  was  a  young  boy.  But  if  this  is  my  grand- 
father, will  he  please  to  give  his  name  ? ' 

"  The  lady's  hand  immediately  seized  a  pencil  and  wrote  *  James,'  to  her  great 
surprise,  as  it  was  a  matter  of  which  she  had  no  previous  knowledge. 

"  '  That  is  correct,'  said  the  clergyman,  now  thoroughly  interested  ;  and  he 
proceeded  to  ask  other  questions  and  to  hold  a  long  interview,  through  the  lady's 
mediumship,  with  this  unexpected  visitor, — the  result  of  which  was,  he  became 
deeply  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  he  was  actually  conversing  with  a 
denizen  of  another  and  brighter  world— one  who  appeared  to  be  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  all  his  past  career,  his  trials  and  his  triumphs,  claiming  to  have 
ever  watched  over  him  as  a  special  guardian  from  his  youth. 

"  In  the  course  of  this  strange  interview  some  reference  was  made  to  the  gift 
of  healing  and  other  gifts  of  the  spirit  enjoyed  in  the  primitive  Christian  Church, 
when  the  lady's  husband  remarked  that  he  had  been  querying  of  late  as  to  why 
those  gifts  had  ceased,  since  there  was  no  intimation  in  the  New  Testament  but 
that  they  were  always  to  '  follow  them  that  believe.' 

"  Instantly  the  heavenly  visitor  (for  such,  all,  by  this  time,  felt  him  to  be,  from 
the  elevating  character  of  his  discourse)  took  up  the  theme,  and  in  the  most  em- 
phatic manner  declared  that  those  gifts  were  the  heritage  of  believers  for  all  time, 
and  that  nothing  but  the  want  of  the  right  kind  of  faith,  and  the  various  corrup- 
tions of  the  Church,  had  caused  their  cessation.  *  Yes,'  he  added,  with  the  dig- 
nity and  emphasis  of  a  teacher  who  knew  whereof  he  affirmed  (using  the  lady's 
vocal  organs  in  a  manner  that  astonished  her  as  well  as  the  others),  ^  the  power  of 
healing  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  is  yours  to-day,  ifyoti  but  have  faith  to  exercise  it ! ' 

"  As  these  words  were  spoken,  the  lady  was  moved  by  a  powerful  internal 
impulse  to  rise  from  her  seat,  cross  the  room  to  where  the  sick  child  lay,  place 
her  hands  upon  it,  and  breathe  an  invocation  that  it  might  be  healed. 

"This  over,  the  influence  was  withdrawn,  and  the  lady  resumed  her  seat. 
Nothing  like  this  had  ever  been  witnessed  before  by  any  one  present,  and  a  feel- 
ing of  wonder  and  awe  fell  upon  them.  Could  it  be  that  the  age  of  angel's  visits 
and  of  miraculous  cures  had  returned  ?    The  sick  child  was  quiet  and  inclined 


196  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

to  sleep,  and,  after  the  usual  family  devotions,  which  were  engaged  in,  as  may  be 
supposed,  with  unwonted  fervor,  all  retired,  deeply  impressed  with  the  events  of 
the  evening. 

"  It  should  be  stated  that  the  sick  child  spc  ken  of  had  been  ailing  for  two  or 
three  days  previously,  from  some  cause  not  understood  ;  but  not  until  this  even- 
ing, about  the  time  of  the  guest's  arrival,  had  the  mother  thought  it  necessary  to 
call  a  physician.  And  then,  as  the  family  physician  lived  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance away,  it  was  decided  to  postpone  summoning  him  till  morning.  Accord- 
ingly, early  the  next  morning  a  messenger  was  despatched  for  the  doctor,  without 
taking  any  special  note  of  the  child's  condition.  In  due  time  he  came,  but  noth- 
ing was  said  to  him  of  the  occurrences  of  the  previous  evening.  He  proceeded 
to  make  a  very  careful  diagnosis  of  the  young  patient,  and  at  length  turned  to  the 
mother,  with  a  somewhat  puzzled  expression,. saying,  '  Your  child,  madam,  has 
the  indications  of  having  had  a  severe  attack  of  rheumatic  fever,  but  in  some  way 
the  fever  has  been  broken  and  has  left  her  ;  she  needs  no  medicine,  only  some 
nourishment,  and  will  soon  be  well.'  He  left,  making  no  prescription,  and  in  a 
few  hours  the  child  was  playing  about  the  house  as  usual." 

This  mother,  subsequently,  under  tuition  from  the  invisible 
world,  continued  successfully  to  exercise  this  healing  gift  in  her  own 
family,  and  at  length  to  some  extent  among  her  neighbors.  Her 
husband,  also,  did  the  same,  and  was  instrumental  in  effecting  a 
number  of  remarkable  cures. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  persons  called  to  participate  in  such 
scenes  and  experiences  as  these  should  become  not  only  firm  be- 
lievers in  angelic  ministration,  but  also  in  the  restoration  of  the  spirit, 
ual  gifts  of  ancient  times.  And  similar  experiences  have  been  by 
no  means  uncommon,  at  least  among  those  who  have  been  privi- 
leged to  realize  the  higher  phases  of  this  modern  spiritual  outpouring. 
Among  such  it  was  but  natural  that  Dr.  Newton  and  other  healers, 
as  they  have  appeared,  should  find  ready  credence  and  sympathy. 

Since  the  modern  Church  in  general  has  refused  to  welcome  these 
angel  visitors, — ^joining  hands  either  with  blind  materialism  in  deny- 
ing their  reality,  or  with  pharisaic  bigotry  in  denouncing  them  indis- 
criminately as  "  devils," — the  Church  has  of  course  failed  to  receive 
the  "  gifts  "  they  have  brought.  They  "  came  unto  their  own,  and 
their  own  received  them  not."  It  is  no  wonder,  then,  that,  like 
the  early  apostles,  they  have  *'  turned  to  the  gentiles  " — to  those 
without  the  pale  of  the  church — who  have  "  received  them  gladly." 

It  may  still  be  urged,  that,  "  If  this  healing  power  is  from  God, 


THE    GIFT    OF    HEALING    AND    MODERN    SPIRITUALISM.       IQ/ 

as  Dr.  Newton  has  claimed,  then  it  cannot  be  from  spirits,  and  has 
nothing  to  do  with  Spiritualism.  Or,  if  from  spirits,  then  it  is  not 
of  God." 

To  this  it  may  be  replied,  that  the  term  God,  in  its  best  and 
broadest  sense,  must  include  in  its  meaning  the  all-pervading  Life- 
Force  or  Spiritual  Energy  of  the  universe.  Any  conception  of  God 
less  than  this  is  surely  not  worthy  to  be  cherished  by  intelligent 
Christians  to-day.  Some  unusual  measure  of  this  subtle  energy  or 
Life-Force  (by  whatever  name  it  may  be  called)  appears  to  be  con- 
centrated in  or  ministered  through  the  organism  of  the  gifted  healer. 
This  is  proved  by  the  results  in  overcoming  disease.  Invisible 
beings  (angels  or  ministering  spirits)  may,  for  aught  any  of  us  know, 
be  the  agents  by  whom  this  energy  is  supplied  to  the  healer,  or,  in 
some  cases,  directly  to  the  sufferer.  Many  healers,  like  Dr.  New- 
ton, are  made  conscious,  through  their  own  quickened  perceptions, 
that  this  is  the  fact  in  their  cases.  (See  Dr.  N.'s  testimony  in  point 
in  Chapter  IX.,  and  again  Chapter  XV.)  Others,  perhaps,  may  be 
unconscious  of  such  angelic  aid,  and  hence  may  conceive  the  power 
they  impart  to  be  wholly  from  and  of  themselves.  But  this  un- 
consciousness does  not  invalidate  the  positive  consciousness  of 
others.* 

It  is,  however,  not  an  un-Christian  idea,  that  all  good  \s  of  God, 
— that  He  is  the  inmost  Life,  the  vitalizing  Power,  the  Healing 
Energy,  and,  in  fact,  the  impulse  to  bless,  in  all  things  and  all  beings 
where  these  exist.  For  "  God  is  Love,"  and  Love  is  the  inmost  of 
Life.  It  is  Love,  or  God,  in  the  hearts  of  angels  and  men  that 
prompts  to  deeds  of  mercy.  Without  His  vitalizing  presence,  in 
some  degree,  no  healing  virtue  can  exist.  True  medicines  and 
healers,  visible  and  invisible,  are  but  means  or  vehicles  to  convey 
the  Divine  Potency.  No  doubt,  the  more  elevated  and  refined  the 
vehicle,  or  the  higher  the  tone  of  spirituality  in  the  healer,  the  more 
refined  and  potential  is  the  curative  force  transmitted.  Said  one 
anciently,  "  the  works  themselves  that  I  do  bear  witness  of  me  that 

*  No  doubt  some  amount  of  healing  Influence  (commonly  termed  "magnetism  "  or  "  mesmer- 
ism ")  may  be  imparted  from  any  healthy,  kindiy-disposed  and  rightly-adapted  person  to  one  who 
is  diseased,  without  the  special  intervention  of  invisible  beings.  But  when  such  a  volume  of 
curative  energy  is  dispensed,  with  no  sense  of  exhaustion,  as  in  the  case  of  noted  healers,  there  is 
evidence  of  a  source  of  supply  beyond  themselves.  In  Chap.  XVII.  (last  selection)  will  be  found 
the  testimony  of  an  experienced  mesmerist  bearing  on  this  point. 


198  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

The  Father  hath  sent  me."  The  same  works  in  our  day  un- 
doubtedly bear  the  same  witness. 

Some  may  imagine  that  the  only  proper  occupation  of  glorified 
human  spirits  is  to  sit  "  around  the  throne,"  play  on  "  harps  of 
gold,"  and  sing  "  alleluiahs  to  the  Lamb  "  forever.  Whatever  may 
be  tiie  case  with  selfish,  indolent  souls  in  the  other  life,  it  seems 
more  probable  that  those  in  whom  the  Divine  Love,  as  an  active, 
blessing  principle,  has  become  really  embodied,  and  who  have 
imbibed  any  portion  of  that  benevolent  spirit  which  impelled  the 
Nazarene  to  "  go  about  doing  good,"  will  find  equally  attractive 
employment,  for  a  part  of  their  time  at  least,  in  ministering  to  the 
needs  and  seeking  to  assuage  the  sufferings  of  their  human  kindred 
still  struggling  in  this  "  vale  of  tears."  Are  not  the  angels  "  all 
ministering  spirits?  "  (Heb.  i.  14.)  And  are  not  our  human  kin, 
when  "raised"  in  the  other  world,  ''''equal  unto^^  and  ''''as  the 
angels  "  (Luke  xx.  36.  Mar.  xii.  25),  and  hence  engaged  in  like 
employments  ?  * 

We  close  this  Chapter  with  the  following  incident  related  by 
Dr.  Newton,  illustrative,  first,  of  the  method  by  which  he  is  made 
aware  of  the  presence  and  aid  of  spiritual  helpers  in  his  work  {i,  e., 
by  seeing,  hearing,  and  doubtless  feeling  them  at  hand)  ;  and, 
secondly,  of  the  fact  that  other  motives  than  mere  benevolence 
sometimes  impel  excarnated  human  beings  to  take  an  interest  in 
this  work — as,  for  example,  the  laudable  desire  to  make  amends 
for  their  own  misdeeds  while  in  the  body. 

"  While  I  was  practicing  in  Columbus,  Ohio,"  says  Dr.  N.,  "  one 
Sunday  morning,  as  my  secretary  and  myself  were  sitting  alone,  a 
young  man  came  in,  and  asked  me  if  I  could  cure  catarrh.  I  told 
him  I  could,  and  bade  him  come  to  me,  when  I  placed  my  hand 
upon  his  head,  and,  with  closed  eyes,  manipulated  for  the  catarrh 
a  moment.  Then  I  said,  '  you  are  all  right ;  your  catarrh  has  left 
you.*  *  1  wish  you  would  do  that  again,'  said  he  ;  'I  feel  so  much 
better.'     I  repeated  the  treatment,  and  he  was  cured. 

*  Both  Jesus  and  Paul  appear  to  have  taught  (on  some  occasions,  at  least)  that  "  the  dead  " 
are  not  to  lie  slumbering  in  the  ground  until  some  future  indefinite  day  when  they  are  to  be  raised, 
as  is  supposed  by  many  ;  but  that  they  "  are  raised,"  /.  c,  immediately  after  the  death  of  their 
bodies.  Jesus  proved  this  to  the  Sadducees  of  his  time  by  citing  the  cases  of  Abraham,  Isaac  and 
Jacob,  whom  Moses  showed  to  be  "living"  in  his  time— that  is,  they  had  been  raised  (Luke 
XX.  36).  Paul  seems  to  assert  the  same  general  truth  in  i  Cor.  xv.,  affirming  that,  when  raised,  the 
dead  *'  come  "  in  spiritual,  not  natural  (/.  e.,  physical)  bodies. 


THE    GIFT    OF    HEALING   AND    MODERN    SPIRITUALISM.       1 99 

"  Said  I,  '  Now  I  will  tell  you  what  I  have  seen.  The  first  time 
I  touched  you,  I  saw  a  spirit,  like  a  shadow,  about  five  feet  ten  in 
height,  standing  at  your  side,  with  his  hand  up  to  his  head.  The 
second  time,  I  saw  the  same  spirit  standing  at  a  desk,  showing  me 
that  he  was  a  schoolmaster.  He  seemed  to  wish  me  to  say  to  you 
that  he  was  the  cause  of  all  your  troubles — that  he  had  struck  you 
on  the  head  with  a  ruler  while  partially  intoxicated,  and  is  very  glad 
of  this  opportunity  to  ask  your  forgiveness.  Do  you  forgive  him.' 
*  Yes, '  said  he,  '  and  all  that  you  have  said  is  true.  I  was  struck 
on  the  head  with  a  ruler,  and  lay  thirteen  days  insensible,  and  after- 
ward had  this  discharge  from  my  head.  But  I  did  not  know  the 
man  was  dead.'  I  assured  him  that  this  was  the  fact,  but  told  him 
(for  his  own  satisfaction)  to  ascertain  for  himself.  The  following 
week  he  came  again  to  my  rooms,  and  said  he  had  just  heard  through 
his  father  that  his  former  teacher  had  been  dead  six  months." 


200  THE    MODERN   BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

THE  OLD  CRY "  HE  HATH  A  DEVIL  !  " 

Mistake  of  Sectarian  Zealots. — Jewish  Exclusiveness.— Example  of  Peter. — The  Healing 
Power  no  Respecter  of  Persons  or  Churches. — Modern  Cures  attributed  to  the  Devil. — 
Attempt  to  "  cast  out"  of  the  Church  one  who  was  Healed. — Speech  of  his  Wife. — 
The  Result. — A  Suffering  Woman  refuses  to  be  cured  by  "  Satan." — Remarks  by  Dr. 
Newton. — Judge  M.  silences  Himself. — Source  of  the  Healing  Power. — Conscious 
Ministry  of  Spirits. — The  Promises  of  Jesus. — How  to  obtain  the  Healing  Power. — 
Religious  Bigotry  and  Hostility  giving  way. — Darkness  receding. — The  Apostolic  Age 
returning. 

Nothing  is  more  common,  or  perhaps  more  natural,  than  that 
zealous  sectarians,  of  any  communion,  should  imagine  that  they 
alone  have  the  truth,  and  hence  they  alone  are  the  special  favorites 
of  the  Almighty ;  and  they  very  logically  (as  it  seems  to  them) 
conclude  that  if  the  Almighty  has  any  favors  to  dispense,  they,  or 
their  communion,  will  be  exclusive  recipients  thereof.  From 
whence  it  as  logically  follows,  in  their  minds,  that  if  any  seemingly 
supernatural  gifts  or  miraculous  interpositions  are  granted  to  those 
not  of  their  faith,  such  gifts  of  interpositions  must  be  either  delu- 
sions, or  works  of  the  adversary  of  all  good. 

In  this  manner  reasoned  the  orthodox  Jews  of  old,  saying  of 
the  innovating  Nazarene,  when  he  impiously  gave  sight  to  a  poor 
blind  man  on  the  sabbath  day,  "  This  man  is  not  from  God,  be- 
cause he  keeps  not  the  sabbath  ; "  *  and  again,  on  another  occa- 
sion, "  He  casts  out  devils  by  Beelzebub,  the  prince  of  devils."  t 

The  great  error  of  such  reasoners  is  their  narrowness.  God's 
truth  is  much  broader  and  more  comprehensive  than  their  con- 
tracted minds  have  conceived.  They  would  do  well  to  learn  a 
lesson  from  the  experience  of  the  apostle  Peter,  who  was  by  edu- 
cation so  thoroughly  imbued  with  Jewish  exclusiveness  that  after 
years  of  association  the  Great  Teacher  and  even  after  the  baptism 

*  John  ix.  19.  t  Luke  xi.  15. 


THE  OLD  CRY — "HE  HATH  A  DEVIL.  201 

of  the  day  of  Pentecost,  he  still  continued  to  believe  that  none  but 
Jews  could  be  recipients  of  Divine  favor  or  sharers  in  the  blessings 
of  the  new  gospel.  Thirteen  years  after  Ihe  delivery  of  the  com- 
mand, "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,"  it  required  a  series  of  special  interpositions,  including 
visions  of  a  remarkable  character,  to  overcome  this  apostle's  exclu- 
siveness,  and  enable  him  to  exclaim,  as  he  did  at  last  in  the 
house  of  the  Roman  centurion  at  Caesarea,  "  Of  a  truth  I  perceive 
that  God  is  not  a  respecter  of  persons ;  but  in  every  nation  he  that 
fears  him,  and  works  righteousness  is  acceptable  to  him."  * 

In  the  same  spirit,  and  in  view  of  the  abundant  proofs  that  have 
been  cited  of  the  display  of  a  seemingly  miraculous  healing  power 
in  various  ages  and  nations  of  the  world,  we  may  now  exclaim,  of 
a  truth,  this  healing  energy  is  no  respecter  of  persons  or  of 
churches,  but  in  every  nation,  Jewish,  Christian  or  heathen,  they 
who  possess  the  requisite  faith,  and  comply  with  the  necessary  con- 
ditons,  may  receive  the  blessing ! 

But  as  in  ancient  Judea,  so  in  modern  America,  there  have  not 
been  wanting  those  who,  while  obliged  to  confess  the  reality  of  the 
"  works  "  performed,  have  still  alleged  that  they  must  proceed  from 
His  Satanic  Majesty,  solely  because  they  were  not  wrought  through 
what  were  deemed  orthodox  instruments.  An  incident  or  two  of 
this  class,  connected  with  the  labors  of  Dr.  Newton,  will  be  put  on 
record. 

"  Early  one  morning,  while  Dr.  Newton  was  in  Hartford,"  says  a  narrator, 
"  among  the  throng  of  about  one  hundred  patients  awaiting  their  turn  to  be 
cured,  was  one  who  attracted  more  than  usual  notice — a  Mr.  Perry  M.  Peckham, 
of  Gilead,  Conn.  He  was  barely  able  to  hobble  in  on  crutches.  He  had  been 
ill  and  almost  helpless  from  rheumatism  for  seven  years.  He  was  attended  by  his 
wife,  and  followed  by  a  large  number  of  persons,  who  wished  to  see  the  cure  per- 
formed. In  ten  minutes  his  limbs  were  as  supple  as  ever ;  he  walked  and  ran, 
to  the  intense  astonishment  of  all  present.  It  was  an  aflecting  scene.  Tears  of 
joy  filled  every  eye. 

"  He  left  his  crutches  and  returned  home.  A  few  weeks  after,  he  paid  Dr.  N. 
another  visit,  and  stated  that  when  he  returned  home,  and  the  news  of  his  res- 
toration got  abroad,  the  excitement  in  the  town  was  intense.  The  ofificers  of  the 
church  of  which  he  was  a  member  called  a  special  meeting,  and  he  was  charged 
with  having  had  a  miracle  performed  upon  him.  They  declared  that  Dr.  New- 
ton's power  was  of  the  Devil,  and  that  he  (Mr.  P.),  by  being  so  healed,  was 

*  Acts  X.  34,  35- 


202  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

bringing  infidelity  into  the  church;  they  proposed,  therefore,  to  consider  the 
question  of  his  expulsion  therefrom. 

"  After  the  reading  of  the  charges,  and  some  discussion  among  the  members, 
Mrs  Peckham  arose,  and  spoke,  closing  with  the  caustic  remark,  *  If  any  of  you 
had  had  a  member  of  your  family  a  cripple  for  seven  years,  and  had  seen  him  suf- 
fer constant  pain,  and  had  him  to  wait  upon  as  I  have  done,  you  wouldn't  mind 
if  it  was  the  Devil  that  cured  him  ! ' 

*'  After  some  further  consultation,  it  was  decided  that  they  might  remain  in 
the  church !  " 

The  following  melancholy  instance  of  sectarian  fanaticism  is 
abbreviated  from  the  Banner  of  Lights  Boston,  1870  : — 

"  Having  wrought  a  cure  on  an  invalid  lady,  residing  a  few  miles  from 
Boston,  who  had  been  confined  to  her  bed  for  sixteen  years.  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton 
learned  from  her  of  a  neighbor  who  had  been  afflicted  in  like  manner  for  many 
years,  and  was  impressed  to  declare  at  once  that  he  could  cure  her.  He  sent 
word  to  her  to  that  effect,  adding  that  he  would  go  out  to  her  residence  at  a  cer- 
tain time,  bearing  his  own  expenses  and  charging  her  nothing  for  his  service. 
The  woman  received  the  message  from  the  Doctor,  and  of  course  was  impressed 
by  the  truthfulness  of  it,  for  she  lost  no  time  in  declaring  her  own  belief  in  his 
ability  to  cure  her.  Instead  of  feeling  that  gratitude,  however,  which  was  to  be 
expected  under  any  circumstances,  she  suddenly  turned  upon  her  proposed  de- 
liverer and  berated  him  in  such  language  as  she  would  apply  to  a  cheat  and 
impostor.  [  In  reply  to  his  benevolent  proposal  she  addressed  him  a  letter,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy,  omitting  the  writer's  name :  ] 

"  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton — Sir :  I  understand  that  you  have  been  spoken  to  about 
me.  I  do  not  approve  of  your  way  of  treatment.  I  would  not  let  you  cure  me. 
I  read  my  precious  Bible.  I  am  fully  satisfied  that  the  power  you  have  is  of  the 
Devil — he  the  agent,  you  the  instrument.  I  do  not  doubt  your  power  or  ability 
to  do  these  cures,  for  Satan  had  the  power  to  make  Job  sick ;  he  gives  you  this 
power  to  make  them  well.  I  am  a  follower  of  Jesus,  and  conscientiously,  and 
could  not ;  neither  will  I  throw  my  influence  on  the  side  of  the  Devil.  No  ;  I 
will  lie  and  suffer  as  many  more  years  as  I  have,  and  die  at  last,  rather  than  be 
cured  by  you. 

"  I  shall  not  offer  any  excuse  for  this  plain  letter  to  a  stranger,  but  pray  God 
will  open  your  eyes  and  let  you  see  the  awful  blasphemy,  lest  you  be  smitten  like 
Herod  of  old.  To  obey  Christ  is  glory  ;  to  obey  Satan  is  hell-torment  and  mis- 
ery forever.  J.  B." 

That  conscientious  firmness  which  prefers  to  suffer  rather  than 
consent  to  what  is  believed  to  be  wrong,  cannot  be  too  much  ad- 
mired ;  but  the  spiritual  blindness  which  can  see  only  "  Satan  "  in 
such  works  of  mercy  as  Dr.  Newton  performs  is  greatly  to  be  de- 
plored. Those  who  are  afflicted  with  this  obscurity  of  vision  would 
do  well  to  carefully  read  and  inwardly  digest  the  remarks  of  Jesus 


THE  OLD  CRY "HE  HATH  A  DEVIL.  203 

to  the  Pharisees,  who  were  troubled  with  the  same  blindness,  as  re- 
corded in  Matt.  xii.  He  reminds  them  that  "  a  tree  is  known  by 
its/rw/'/j-,"  and  more  than  intimates  that  the  error  of  attributing 
deeds  of  kindness  to  "  Satan  "  and  "  Beelzebub  "  is  "  blasphemy 
against  the  Holy  Spiric,"  which  "  shall  not  be  forgiven  unto  men." 
If  Jesus  was  right,  then  the  "  blasphemy  "  in  the  above  case  was 
evidently  on  the  side  of  the  unfortunate  sufferer,  instead  of  Dr.  N., 
who  would  gladly  have  relieved  her ;  and  she  no  doubt  suffered 
the  full  penalty  of  her  mistake.  In  relation  to  the  above,  Dr.  New- 
ton writes  : 

"  Many  similar  instances  might  be  produced,  to  show  the  bigotry  and  prejudice 
of  the  human  mind,  and  the  principal  source  and  malignant  spirit  of  the  opposition 
I  have  encountered  in  my  practice.  While  so-called  Christians  worship  their 
Bible  and  their  Christ,  they  reject  some  of  the  most  important  and  practical  of 
his  teachings.  And  of  those  who  dare  take  him  at  his  word,  and  exercise  the 
power  he  delegated  to  all  who  believe  on  him,  by  doing  the  works  that  he  did, 
they  say,  as  was  said  of  him,  '  He  hath  a  devil.' 

"  Judge  M ,  of  Boston,  once  called  at  my  office  to  witness  some  of  my 

operations  in  healing.  After  seeing  some  cures  wrought  of  a  remarkable  char- 
acter, he  said :  *  I  have  seen  enough  to  convince  me  of  the  existence  of  the  heal- 
ing power;  but  I  believe  it  is  the  power  of  the  Devil.  lean  account  for  these 
miraculous  cures  in  no  other  way.  Now,  I  will  open  the  Bible,  and  I  think  I  shall 
be  directed  to  a  passage  that  will  throw  some  light  on  this  mystery.'  And,  taking 
a  Bible  from  a  table  near  by,  he  opened  and  read  aloud  the  first  passage  that  his 
eyes  fell  upon  :  '  No  man  can  do  these  things  except  God  be  with  him.'  The 
Judge  said  no  more.  He  had  silenced  himself.  I  repeat  it,  '  No  man  can  do 
these  things  except  God  be  with  him ' — God,  the  great  source  of  power,  our 
life  and  our  everlasting  strength.  I  am  aware  that  I  often  draw  upon  myself 
obloquy  and  ridicule  by  maintaining  this  truth,  and  by  acknowledging  the  aid  of 
angels  and  spirits.  But  I  should  be  false  to  myself  and  the  great  truth  which 
I  represent,  did  I  do  otherwise.  All  power  is  from  God.  May  not  the  power 
come  through  the  agency  of  glorified  spirits  ?  May  not  the  heavenly  hosts,  as 
did  the  angels  that  ministered  to  Jesus  in  the  wilderness,  giving  him  peace  and 
comfort,  and  power  to  battle  with  his  enemies,  impart  to  us  power  and  strength 
for  our  work  ?  Mortals  do  not  cease  their  labors  when  they  leave  the  earthly 
for  the  higher  life  ;  and  I  believe  an  important  part  of  their  labor  is  confined  to 
the  earth,  in  giving  comfort  to  the  heavy-laden,  and  in  aiding  us  physically,  mor- 
ally, and  intellectually.  In  the  midst  of  my  greatest  labors,  although  continually 
giving  off  life-force  and  strength  from  my  own  body,  evening  finds  me  as  fresh 
and  free  from  fatigue  as  at  the  beginning  of  the  day's  work.  Hence  I  am  often 
asked,  *  Whence  comes  this  power  that  seems  to  increase  with  the  giving  ? '  and 
I  answer,  *  From  the  heavenly  world.'  I  am  often  conscious  of  the  ministry  of 
angels,  not  only  in  cheering  and  comforting  me  mentally,  but  in  aiding  and 


204  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

strengthening  me  bodily.  Thus  they  work  on  me,  and  through  me  upon  others. 
The  peculiarity  of  my  organism  renders  me  a  suitable  avenue  through  which 
the  unseen  forces  can  impart  their  power  when  needed.  I  am  negative  to  their 
influences,  and  hence  receive  them  readily ;  yet,  in  imparting  to  others,  I  am 
positive  and  determined.  Thus  I  receive  and  impart  quickly,  and  hence  those 
instantaneous  cures  that  have  distinguished  my  long  practice.  I  am  almost  al- 
ways so  powerfully  charged  with  magnetic  power  that  it  can  be  distinctly  felt  like 
a  cool  breeze  above  my  head.  It  also  emanates  from  all  parts  of  my  body,  en- 
veloping me  in  an  atmosphere  peculiarly  invigorating  and  elevating.  This, 
together  with  my  extraordinary  vital  and  recuperative  power,  prevents  me  from 
taking  on  disease,  and  keeps  me  in  perfect  health  and  in  constant  working  con- 
dition. 

"  Thus  I  am  conscious,  in  my  daily  life  and  labor,  of  the  presence  of  a  higher 
power,  working  in  and  through  me  for  the  relief  of  others.  I  know,  too,  that  this 
power  is  identical  with  that  possessed  by  Jesus  and  other  healers  of  ancient 
time,  and  that  it  is  the  gift  promised  to  all  who  believe  on  him. 

"  My  whole  knowledge  of  healing  I  gained  from  the  New  Testament  teach- 
ings. When  Jesus  discovered  the  power,  at  the  age  of  about  thirty  years,  his  mis- 
sion was  healing  the  sick ;  and  to  this  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  largely  devoted. 
This  power  he  promised  to  others,  in  his  memorable  words,  '  The  works  that  I 
do  ye  shall  do  also  ;  and  greater,  because  I  go  to  my  Father,' — works  evidently 
signifying  the  healing  of  disease,  and  not  merely  teaching  the  people,  as  is  com- 
monly taught  in  the  churches.  He  also  said  :  *  These  signs  shall  follow  them 
that  believe  *  *  *  they  shall  lay  hands  on  the  sick  and  they  shall  recover.'  * 
And  one  of  his  apostles  wrote,  '  Is  any  sick  among  you,  let  him  call  for  the  elders 
of  the  church  ;  and  let  them  pray  over  him;  anointing  him  with  oil  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord.  And  the  prayer  of  faith  will  save  the  sick,  and  the  Lord  will  raise 
him  up.'  t     How  rarely,  if  ever,  is  this  practiced  by  professing  Christians  ! 

"  In  connection  with  the  works  which  he  had  done,  the  chief  of  which  were 
works  of  healing,  he  says  :  '  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will  I  do, 
— words  which  all  Christians  prize,  and  which  for  a  period  of  eighteen  hundred 
years,  have  been  the  solace  of  believers.  His  promises  go  hand  in  hand,  linked 
together  for  our  acceptance.  The  prayers  of  faith  for  our  moral  and  spiritual 
growth  are  answered,  so  the  prayers  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick. 

"To  the  mind  not  warped  by  preconceived  opinion,  it  is  evident  that  Jesus 
addressed  himself  to  humanity  in  general,  in  that  and  in  all  coming  time,  and 
that  the  power  of  healing  has  not  been  lost ;  and  might  be  more  widely  practiced 
than  it  is.  I  sincerely  believe  that  if  we  live  pure  and  holy  lives,  the  power  of 
healing  will  be  the  sure  result,  if  we  have  faith  and  desire  it — developed,  of  course, 
to  a  degree  in  proportion  to  a  person's  adaptability  to  that  particular  calling.  As 
some  excel  in  painting,  music,  or  mechanical  arts,  so  some  possess  this  spiritual 
gift  to  an  extraordinary  degree,  while  all  no  doubt  possess  it  to  some  extent. 

"  Although,  as  I  have  observed,  the  greater  part  of  the  opposition  I  have  en- 
countered has  proceeded  from  the  church,  and  those  professing  a  belief  in  the 

*  Mark  xvii.  17-18.  *  James  v.  14. 


THE  OLD  CRY — "  HE  HATH  A  DEVIL.  205 

Bible,  yet  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands,  both  individually  and  collectively,  as 
churches  and  societies,  have  given  me  their  support,  and  are  true  believers  in  the 
gift  of  healing.  Thus  the  world  is  becoming  liberalized  and  enlightened.  Since 
the  commencement  of  my  practice,  there  has  been  a  great  revolution  in  public 
sentiment.  There  is  less  bigotry  and  more  intelligence  on  subjects  of  great  prac- 
tical importance.  Books  have  been  written,  ably  setting  forth  these  truths,  ex- 
plaining the  healing  power,  and  enlightening  the  darkened  understanding.  I 
have  travelled  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  my  own  country  and  in  Europe, 
both  that  the  poor  might  have  the  benefit  of  this  power,  in  restored  health  and 
happiness,  and  that  the  reality  of  healing  might  be  established  beyond  the  reach 
of  successful  contradiction.  Other  healers  have  arisen,  and  thus  the  truth  goes 
on  triumphantly. 

"  Although  I  have  met  with  more  or  less  opposition,  having  suffered  the 
alienation  of  friends  and  relations,  the  derision  of  enemies  of  the  truth,  yea,  all 
but  death  itself,  yet  I  feel  thankful  to  bear  in  my  experience  and  life  some  evi- 
dences  of  the  struggle  into  existence  of  so  great  and  important  a  truth  as  healing 
the  sick  by  laying  on  of  hands.  I  foresaw  this  opposition  when,  in  1857,  before 
any  healer  had  publicly  entered  the  field,  I  went  forth  alone  upon  my  mission. 
Angels  have  borne  me  up,  and  I  have  been  elevated  in  spirit,  even  beneath  the 
weight  of  the  cross.  My  opponents  constitute  but  a  small  minority  in  the  num- 
ber of  those  who  have  seen  and  heard  of  this  great  power  ;  so  that  the  grateful 
remembrance  of  hundreds  of  thousands  whom  I  have  saved  or  benefited,  as  well 
as  a  consciousness  of  right  doing,  is  to  me  sufficient  recompense.  If  I  desire  a 
higher  reward,  it  will  come  hereafter  when  my  work  is  finished. 

"  For  healers  in  the  future  the  way  will  be  easier.  They  will  not  be  consid- 
ered suitable  subjects  for  the  lunatic  asylum  or  the  gallows.  The  eyes  of  the 
spiritually  blind  are  being  unsealed,  and  in  the  light  of  the  new  truths  now  dawn- 
ing on  the  earth,  all  must  ere  long  be  led  to  apply  to  their  own  lives  and  practice 
the  long  rejected  teachings  of  Jesus.  Through  the  receding  mists  of  long  ages 
of  ignorance  and  darkness,  I  seem  to  see  the  good  old  apostolic  ages  coming 
again,  when  religious  teachers  shall  add  to  their  preaching  and  exhortation  the 
great  and  wonderful  gift  of  healing  the  sick  by  the  laying  on  of  hands." 


206  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE. 

First  Visit  a  Disappointment. — Second  Visit  in  1870. — Arrival  in  Liverpool. — Performs 
Cures. — Reception  in  London, — Address  of  Welcome. — Speeches  by  Messrs.  Coleman, 
Shorter,  Tebb,  Peebles,  and  Hall. — Commences  to  heal  in  Cavendish  Rooms  and  Cam- 
bridge Hall. — List  of  Remarkable  Cures. — Sermon  by  Rev.  Dr.  Burns. — "  Who  is  Dr. 
Burns  .''  " — His  Chapel  offered  to  Dr.  New^ton. — Cures  performed  there.  — Opposition 
and  Criticism. — Dr.  Bums' Defence. — Application  of  "  Muscular  Christianity." — Ad- 
ditional Cures. — A  Hint  to  Benefit  Societies. — Quaint  Scenes. — Testimony  of  two 
Ladies. — A  Visit  to  Dr.  Newton. — Paralysis  Cured. — Gratitude  Expressed. — "  The 
Blind  Receive  Sight."—"  The  Lame  Walk." 

Dr.  Newton  had  for  some  years  felt  a  strong  desire  to  visit 
Europe,  for  the  purpose  of  exercising  the  healing  gift  upon  the  sick 
in  that  part  of  the  world.  Accordingly  in  July,  1864,  he  crossed 
the  Atlantic,  taking  with  him  as  secretary  and  companion,  Mr.  A. 
A.  Hill,  some  of  whose  "  Reminiscences  "  of  Dr.  N.  will  be  found 
near  the  close  of  this  volume.  He  hoped  to  be  able  to  heal  the 
sick  in  the  public  squares  and  market-places  of  the  great  cities, 
"  without  money  and  without  price."  But,  on  reaching  London,  he 
found,  greatly  to  his  disappointment,  that  this  would  not  be  per- 
mitted by  the  authorities.  In  that  Church-ridden  community,  one 
proposing  to  imitate  so  closely  the  great  Healer  of  Judea,  was 
looked  upon  as  an  impostor  or  a  lunatic,  and  he  found  that,  like 
his  distinguished  predecessor  in  another  land,  "  he  could  do  no 
mighty  work  there,  because  of  their  unbelief."  At  that  time  the  be- 
lievers in  Modern  Spiritualism  in  England  were  comparatively  few, 
and  these  few  had  little  knowledge  of  or  faith  in  this  mode  of  heal- 
ing. So,  after  a  brief  trip  to  the  Continent,  the  Dr.  returned  to 
America. 

Six  years  later,  circumstances  seemed  more  favorable  for  the 
fulfilment  of  his  desires  ;  and  accordingly,  in  April,  1870,  he  again 
embarked  for  England.  On  arriving  in  Liverpool,  he  was  welcomed 
by  a  committee  of  residents,  headed  by  James  Wason,  Esq.,  whose 
hospitality  he  enjoyed  for  a  few  days — performing  a  number  of 


THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  20/ 

cures  meanwhile,  some  of  which  will  be  noted  further  on — and  then 

proceeded  to  London.     Here  he  was  met  at  the  railway  station  by 

Mr.  Peebles,  of  America,  then  sojourning  in  London,  and  Messrs. 

Coleman  and  Burns,  of  that  city — all  well  known  in   connection 

with  Modern   Spiritualism.     He  was  this  time  received  with  great 

cordiality,  and   entertained  with  that  free   hospitality  and  kindness 

which  are  characteristic  of  the  English  people. 

Full  accounts  of  Dr.  Newton's  movements   and  work  while  in 

England  appeared  in  The  Medium  and  Daybreak^  a  weekly  journal 

published  in  London  by  J.  Burns,  Esq.,  from  whose  columns  mainly 

are  derived  the  materials  for  this  record.    First  we  have  an  account 

of  a 

RECEPTION  TO  DR.  NEWTON  IN  LONDON. 

This  interesting  event  took  place  in  the  Beethoven  Rooms,  27  Harley  street, 
on  the  evening  of  Thursday,  the  12th  instant  (May,  1870).  All  the  tickets  were 
distributed  several  days  before  the  meeting  took  place,  and  many  were  disap- 
pointed, as  the  interest  manifested  was  very  great.  A  brilliant  company,  com- 
posed of  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  take  a  deep  interest  in  Spiritualism,  but  who 
seldom  have  the  opportunity  of  greeting  each  other  face  to  face,  filled  the  spa- 
cious rooms.  Comfortable  and  pleasant  conversation  occupied  the  time  till  Mr. 
Coleman  was  called  to  the  chair,  who  immediately  introduced  to  the  assembly 
the  guest  of  the  evening,  Dr.  Newton,  accompanied  by  his  secretary,  Mr.  Wat- 
son, who  were  received  with  much  cordiality. 

Mr.  Coleman,  in  introducing  the  business  of  the  evening,  said  he  addressed  a 
meeting  composed  almost  exclusively  of  Spiritualists,  and  from  all  sections  of 
the  spiritual  camp.  Spiritualism  belonged  to  all  religions  ;  and  its  tenets  were  a 
belief  in  a  future  state  of  existence.  He  would  not  dilate  on  the  various  phases 
of  spiritual  power,  but  the  gift  of  healing  was  one  of  the  most  exalted  that  had 
been  conferred  on  men,  and  had  been  practiced  in  all  times  and  countries  ;  but 
Dr.  Newton  stood  pre-eminent  in  this  respect.  When  Mr.  Coleman  was  in  Amer- 
ica, he  heard  of  a  case  in  which  Dr.  Newton  had  cured  blindness  in  a  very  few 
minutes.  Mr.  Coleman  then  stated  the  case  of  Mr.  Ashley,  of  Liverpool.  Mr. 
Ashley  had  not  been  out  of  his  bed  for  five  months,  but  after  a  few  minutes' 
treatment  from  Dr.  Newton  the  ailing  gentleman  got  up  and  walked  over  a  mile, 
and  ate  a  beef  steak  to  his  dinner.*  Mr.  Coleman  then  described  the  case  of 
Mr.  Watson,  Dr.  Newton's  secretary,  who  had  been  wounded  in  the  eye,  and, 
from  inflammation,  became  quite  blind.  Mrs.  Watson  was  impressed  to  go  to 
Dr.  Newton,  and  she  led  in  her  husband  with  his  eyes  bandaged,  to  the  Doctor, 
who  intuitively  diagnosed  the  case,  and  in  seven  minutes  Mr.  Watson  could 
read  small  type,  and  can  now  see  with  the  one  eye  as  well  as  he  ever  did  in  his 
life.  Mr.  Coleman  did  not  believe  that  the  Doctor  would  cure  all  who  came  be- 
fore him,  not  even  the  half.  Dr.  Newton  did  not  want  money ;  but  if  any 
*  This  case  is  more  fully  stated  on  a  subsequent  page.— Ed. 


208  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

wealthy  person  gave  liim  some,  it  would  be  devoted  to  charitable  purposes  in 
this  country.     Dr.  Newton  would  remain  six  months  in  London.     He  was  taking 
a  large  house,  where  he  would  receive  patients.     Mr.  Coleman  then  read  the 
following  address : — 
To  Dr.  J.  R.  Nev^^ton,  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island  : 

It  is  our  pleasant  duty  on  this  occasion  to  give  you  a  most  cordial  and  hearty 
welcome  :  to  express  the  admiration  with  which  your  labors  have  inspired  us, 
the  fame  of  which  is  not  only  wide  spread  in  your  own  land,  but  is  familiar  to  all 
who  are  acquainted  with  the  philosophy  and  literature  of  Spiritualism.  You 
have  been  the  means  of  alleviating  and  removing  human  suffering,  and  curing 
long-standing  and  terrible  diseases,  as  is  abundantly  shown  in  public  journals 
and  records,  and  as  thousands  who  have  received  the  benefit  of  your  treatment 
have  hitherto  testified  and  are  willing  to  testify.  We  appreciate  these  great 
services,  which  to  the  poor  have  been  rendered  freely — "  without  money  and 
without  price."  And  we  anticipate  with  the  most  lively  satisfaction  the  prospect 
of  a  similar  good  work  being  effected  amongst  ourselves,  through  your  instru- 
mentality. We  know  that  this  is  the  hope  and  purpose  which  has  prompted 
your  visit  amongst  us.  God  grant  that  you  may  meet  with  a  full  measure  of 
success  in  this  your  high  and  noble  mission  in  our  land !  Most  deeply  do  we 
sympathize  with,  and  appreciate  your  aims ;  and  desire,  as  far  as  we  may,  to  aid 
and  co-operate  with  you  in  their  prosecution.  Your  long  and  honorable  career 
has  forcibly  illustrated,  beyond  all  cavil,  the  practical  and  beneficent  character 
of  Spiritualism,  which,  like  your  own  kindly  feelings  and  generous  efforts,  knows 
no  distinctions  of  class,  sect  or  creed,  but  recognises  in  every  man  a  brother^ 
and  especially  delights  in  the  relief  of  suffering  humanity.  Those  of  us  who  are 
honored  with  your  personal  friendship  desire  further  t  :>  express  our  high  respect 
for  your  private  worth  no  less  than  great  public  usefulness ;  and  we  are  sure 
that  we  express  not  only  our  own  feeling,  but  that  of  many,  very  many,  who 
are  unavoidably  absent,  in  assuring  you  of  our  sincere  and  grateful  feelings  tow- 
ards you,  and  that  you  have  our  best  wishes  for  the  success  of  vour  humane 
and  generous  purpose. 

May  God  and  the  good  angels  speed  you  on  your  way. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  meeting. 

B.  COLEMAN,  Chairman. 
London,  May  12th,  1870. 

Mr.  Shorter  was  called  upon  to  propose  the  address,  who  said  he  had  made 
the  acquaintance  of  Dr.  Newton  in  the  year  1864,  and  was  struck  with  his  kind- 
ness, openness  and  candor.  He  was  glad  to  find  that  the  untoward  circum- 
stances that  had  prevented  the  Doctor  from  remaining  with  us  before  were  not 
in  operation  now.  Spiritualism  now  occupied  a  very  different  position  from 
what  it  did  six  years  ago.  Books,  publications,  lectures,  conferences,  Sunday 
services  and  societies  had  been  established  ;  and  he  was  glad  to  find  so  good 
an  assemblage  to  welcome  Doctor  Newton  on  the  present  occasion ;  and  that 
the  good  work  commenced  by  the  Doctor  in  Liverpool  would  be  continued 
among  us.    A  desire  had  sprung  up  in  society,  not  only  to  test  the  truth  of  the 


THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  2O9 

phenomena  of  Spiritualism ;  but  to  point  out  its  practical  uses  as  an  aid  to  relig- 
ion, education,  and  to  deal  with  physical  suffering.  This  was  the  work  to  which 
Dr.  Newton's  labors  had  been  for  many  years  devoted.  His  method  would  be 
deemed  an  innovation,  as  the  ideas  of  society  were  wedded  to  the  system  of 
drugging  now  in  vogue,  and  it  was  singular  that  the  claims  urged  by  the  Church 
for  its  founder  and  apostles  as  healers  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  were  derided  by 
the  members  of  that  Church. 

Mr.  Shorter  said  he  need  not  refer  to  the  instances  of  curing  which  have 
occurred  in  all  ages  ;  but  among  those  who  in  modern  times  have  been  efficient  in 
the  healing  of  diseases,  the  most  successful  is  our  honored  guest.  He  then  re- 
ferred to  the  well-known  demonstrations  by  the  recipients  of  Dr.  Newton's  gift  in 
Philadelphia.  The  Doctor  had  been  called  before  the  magistrates  on  some 
trumpery  pretext,  and  his  friends  in  the  city  being  naturally  indignant  at  such 
treatment  of  their  benefactor,  swarmed  the  Court  to  the  number  of  fifteen  hun 
dred,  and  offered  their  unasked-for  testimony  to  the  facts  and  truth  of  his  wonder- 
ful powers.  Mr.  Shorter  gave  an  account  of  the  cure  of  Rev.  F.  R.  Young,  of 
Swindon,  by  Dr.  Newton,  with  which  many  of  the  readers  of  this  publication  are 
already  familiar.  Mr.  Shorter,  when  at  Swindon,  saw  a  lady  who  had  been  cured 
of  blindness  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Young,  who  had  received  the  power  from 
Dr.  Newton  when  he  cured  him  in  America. 

One  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  express  to  Dr.  Newton  our  appreciation 
of  his  great  kindness  in  coming  among  us  in  this  generous  and  disinterested  way. 
It  was  our  duty  to  give  him  all  the  sympathy  and  aid  in  our  power,  and  he  would, 
in  his  own  behalf  and  that  of  the  meeting,  express  the  warmest  good  wishes  for 
his  success  in  his  noble  mission. 

Mr.  Tebb  heartily  concurred  in  the  address  that  had  been  read,  and  in  the 
congratulatory  remarks  that  had  been  offered  to  the  guest  of  the  evening.  We 
had  many  evidences  of  the  uses  and  good  of  Spiritualism  in  such  persons  as  Dr. 
Newton,  Mrs.  Hardinge,  Mr.  Shepard,  and  others  who  healed,  instructed,  and 
elevated  mankind.  Spiritualism  was  a  great  fact  on  both  continents,  and  was 
permeating  the  literature  and  thought  of  the  day.  It  was  the  prime  remedy  for 
the  materialism  of  the  churches  which  had  divorced  themselves  from  the 
spiritual  for  the  fast  300  years. 

Mr.  Coleman  then  referred  to  Mr.  Peebles  as  a  most  excellent  man,  who 
taught  and  practiced  what  was  much  appreciated  by  a  great  number  of  Spiritu- 
alists. 

Mr.  Peebles  rose  and  said  :  It  is  with  some  degree  of  embarrassment  that  I 
make  any  remarks  this  evening,  and  hence  I  would  have  preferred  that  the  friends 
on  this  platform,  and  especially  our  honored  guest,  should  occupy  the  whole  of 
the  time.  I  am  exceedingly  happy  in  being  in  your  midst,  and  especially  in  being 
on  this  platform,  by  the  side  of  a  friend  and  brother  whom  I  have  known  for 
many,  many  years;  and  I  am  exceedingly  glad  that  you  extend  to  him  such 
warm  hands,  as  only  warm-hearted  Englishmen  can  give.  As  an  American,  I 
often  feel  that  if  all  Americans  would  visit  England,  and  Englishmen  would  visit 
America,  the  hearts  of  all  who  speak  the  English  language  would  become  bound 
together  with  ties  of  peace  and  love  that  could  never  be  severed. 

14 


210  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

But  it  is  often  asked,  What  good  does  Spiritualism  do  ?  And  if  I  were  to 
answer  the  question  in  a  few  words  I  would  say,  it  gives  us  a  living,  tangible  dem- 
onstration of  a  future  existence.  Men — reasoning,  rational  men — often  doubt, 
and  the  question  is  still  asked,  "If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live  again?"  I  am 
happy  in  the  knowledge  that  this  truth  is  spreading  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  In 
Constantinople  and  Smyrna,  I  found  mediums,  and  attended  seances.  In  fact, 
all  over  the  world  do  we  find  that  these  manifestations  and  these  demonstrations 
are  occurring. 

I  know  much  of  Dr.  Newton,  and  many  hundreds  of  persons  in  America  have 
clasped  my  hands  and  said  to  me,  "  Doctor  Newton,  by  that  wonderful  spirit- 
power,  has  driven  disease  from  me."  Once  I  remember  seeing  a  man  brought  to 
the  Doctor  on  a  bed.  Dr.  Newton  looked  upon  him,  stepped  forward,  lifted  his 
hands  in  prayer,  and,  with  a  loving  smile  breaking  from  his  lips,  he  laid  his  hands 
upon  him,  and  said,  "  Disease,  I  bid  you  depart ;  arise !  "  and  the  man,  with  one 
spasmodic  leap,  left  the  bed.  On  another  occasion  a  lady  was  brought  to  the 
door,  but  the  Doctor  said,  "  There  is  no  need  to  bring  her  up  ;  tell  her  to  go 
away,  she  is  well,"  and  in  a  few  days  she  was  well.  He  has  made  the  lame  to 
walk,  the  blind  to  see,  and  the  deaf  to  hear ;  and  this  by  that  power  which  Jesus 
transferred,  when  he  said,  "  These  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe."  And  I 
say  to  you,  as  Spiritualists,  if  you  live  that  Christ-life,  these  gifts  will  be  yours. 
The  early  Christians  did  follow  Christ,  and  for  300  years  after  Christ  they 
healed  and  gave  various  manifestations  of  spiritual  gifts  ;  but  when,  by  Constan- 
tine,  Christainity  came  under  the  patronage  of  the  state,  and  it  became  a  nation- 
alized religion,  it  seemed  as  if  the  inspiration  had  ceased  among  Christians,  as 
though  the  angels  had  left  them,  and  Christainity  became  a  mere  form.  But  we 
need  this  Christ  baptism,  and  were  we  to  accept  these  truths  and  live  a  more 
divine  life,  we  should  have  these  gifts  reserved  to  us.  As  Mrs.  Hardinge  is  at 
the  head  of  public  speakers  in  America,  so  Dr.  Newton  is  at  the  head  of  the 
healers,  and  before  him  diseases  depart ;  in  fact,  though  the  effects  may  not  be 
immediately  removed,  yet  the  cause  no  longer  exists,  the  effect  remaining  for  a 
time  just  as  a  stream  runs  after  the  fountain  is  stopped.  So,  my  friends,  I  have 
great  faith  in  Dr.  Newton's  power.  I  have  more  than  faith,  because  I  have  seen 
his  works;  t  have  seen  these  wonderful  cures,  and  have  seen  the  effect  of 
their  wonderful  power,  and  in  my  heart  of  hearts,  have  thanked  God  that  such 
men  have  been  raised  up  to  bless  humanity.  There  is  a  great  work  before  our 
friend  in  this  country,  and  I  feel  that  he  will  nobly  and  faithfully  do  that  work; 
and  I  trust  that  you  will  extend  to  him  that  warmth  of  soul  which  will  inspire 
him  in  his  labors." 

Mr.  Coleman  put  the  address  to  the  vote  of  the  meeting,  which  was  carried 
by  the  audience  rising  to  their  feet. 

Doctor  Newton  then  rose  and  said  :  "  My  dear  friends  :  Your  cordial 
welcome  quite  overwhelms  me,  and  I  fear  I  shall  poorly  express  myself  on  this 
happy  occasion.  I  come  before  you  as  a  plain  man — as  a  healer,  and  not  a 
speaker.  But  I  will  say  that  it  rejoices  me  to  be  on  English  soil,  and  in  an 
assemblage  of  true  and  warm-hearted  English  people,  ready  to  welcome  me  to 
the  field  of  labor.,  and  to  say,  '  Gcd  speed  and  prosper  you  on  your  mission.'    My 


THE  HEALER  IX  EUROPE.  211 

mission  I  believe  to  be  a  good  one.  It  is  not  underlaid  by  selfish  motives.  On 
the  contrary,  I  have  come  here  at  great  personal  sacrifice.  I  am  an  instrument  in 
the  hands  of  an  all-wise  Father  to  bless  and  do  good  to  mankind,  and  I  am,  I 
trust,  willing  to  go  wherever  he  may  direct  my  steps.  The  power  of  healing  I 
believe  to  be  bestowed  upon  me  for  the  benefit  of  the  suffering  everywhere.  I 
have  been  actively  engaged  in  this  work  many  years,  with  what  success,  you  are 
all  no  doubt  familiar ;  and  I  know  I  express  the  feeling  of  all  present  when  I  say 
that  I  hope  my  success  among  you  may  be  as  great  as  in  America.  And  if  all 
are  prepared  to  receive  me,  it  certainly  will  be.  Jesus  said,  '  A  new  command- 
ment I  give  unto  you,  that  you  love  one  another.'  I  have  so  cultivated  this  love 
to  humanity,  that  I  feel  that  I  love  every  human  being  as  I  love  my  children. 
And  to  them  I  consecrate  my  gift,  my  life.  If  England's  great  heart  responds 
with  equal  warmth  of  love  and  good  will,  the  effects  of  healing  will  be  felt  with 
ten-fold  power.     Let  us  pray  for  the  full  realization  of  our  desires." 

Dr.  Newton  spoke  still  further  of  his  future  labors  in  this  country,  of  his 
arrangements  for  public  healing  receptions,  et  cetera,  after  which 

Mr.  S.  C.  Hall  said :  I  have  no  intention  of  making  a  speech,  but  beg  to  be 
allowed  to  say  two  or  three  words  to  second  the  greeting  of  welcome  to  Dr.  New- 
ton. I  believe  I  would  be  speaking  the  minds  of  all  Englishmen,  and  particularly 
of  Spiritualists,  in  giving  a  cordial  welcome  to  any  American  medium,  such  as 
Dr.  Newton  or  Mr.  Peebles,  and  in  so  doing,  to  bring  the  two  nations  into  more 
intimate  relationship.  I  wanted  to  tell  Dr.  Newton  of  the  progress  that  Spiritual- 
ism had  lately  been  making  in  England,  leading  men  of  intellect  and  culture  to 
inquire  into  the  matter,  who  would  not  otherwise  have  heard  of  it.  There  is  a 
society  in  London,  composed  of  many  eminent  men,  and  this  society  has  made 
minute  examinations  of  very  many  witnessess  of  every  class  of  society,  and  these 
inquiries  are  about  to  be  published  in  the  form  of  a  report,  and  that  report  will 
have  the  influence  of  science  on  its  side.  This  report  will  entirely  remove  those 
two  enemies  of  Spiritualism — the  imputation  of  fraud  and  delusion ;  and  fraud 
and  delusion  will  only  be  urged  against  Spiritualism  by  those  w^ho  know  nothing 
about  it.  When  these  imputations  are  removed  from  the  minds  of  the  public, 
then  will  the  truths  of  Spiritualism  be  able  to  assert  themselves,  and  those  truths 
he  believed  to  be  essential  to  human  happiness.  These  truths  would  remove 
many  difficulties  out  of  the  way  of  religion,  and  remove  all  doubts  as  to  a  here- 
after and  an  immortal  life.  They  show  that  the  spirit  enters  a  life  of  continual 
existence,  and  a  perpetual  state  of  progress.  If  we  can  remove  these  stumbling 
blocks,  we  shall  be  able  to  make  progress  with  our  divine  belief.  We  shall,  I 
trust,  be  the  humble  instruments  in  God's  hands,  of  destroying  the  great  source 
of  opposition  to  Spiritualism,  and  of  convincing  all  mankind,  high  and  low, 
ignorant  and  intellectual,  that  there  is  a  hereafter,  and  that  when  the  body  becomes 
dust,  the  soul  shall  be  elevated  to  another  sphere  the  moment  the  body  perishes 
— to  a  life  of  continual  progress  with  as  many  stations  above  as  there  are  con- 
ditions belo\v  man  at  present.    . 

Mr.  Peebles  moved  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  for  having  presided  wfth 
so  much  dignity  and  marked  ability  ;  this  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Tebb,  and,  after 
some  remarks  from  Mr.  W.  Evans,  to  the  effect  that  the  teachings  of  the  spirit 


212  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

world  would  yet  elevate  men  above  the  tendency  to  contract  disease,  it  was  carried 
with  much  applause.  Order  was  again  called,  and  Mr.  Maltby  gave  a  song, 
accompanying  himself  on  the  piano.  Miss  Katherine  Poynts  also  sang,  and  Mr. 
D.  D.  Home  recited  two  pieces.  As  the  formal  proceedings  broke  up.  Dr.  New- 
ton operated  on  a  number  who  flocked  round  him,  after  which  the  company  pro- 
ceeded to  the  front  drawing-room,  where  refreshments  were  served.  The  meet- 
ing was  most  satisfactory  and  gratifying,  and  will  be  long  remembered  by  many 
who  were  present. 

The  journal  already  quoted  has  the  following,  under  date  of 
May  20,  1870  : — 

CURES  BY  DR.  NEWTON. 

No  sooner  had  Dr.  Newton  set  his  foot  on  English  soil,  than  he  began  to  dis- 
pense health  and  comfort  to  all  who  came  into  contact  with  him.  In  Liverpool, 
he  made  some  wonderful  cures ;  and  his  mission  in  London  opened  on  the  even- 
ing of  his  arrival.  His  first  public  efforts  were  in  the  Cavendish  Rooms,  on 
Sunday  last,  when  he  operated  on  a  number  at  the  afternoon  Conference,  and  in 
the  evening.  His  success  in  one  case  was  very  marked ;  that  of  the  son  of  F* 
Cowper,  388  Edgware  Road,  who  had  been  unable  to  walk  without  crutches  for 
eight  years  past.  After  Dr.  Newton's  treatment,  the  lad  was  able  to  walk  home 
— a  distance  of  about  two  miles.  On  Monday  he  attended  at  the  Cambridge 
Hall,  and  had  his  spine  straightened,  which  has  made  him  measure  about  four 
inches  taller.     He  now  walks  with  a  stick,  and  improves  daily. 

Dr.  Newton  commenced  a  regular  course  of  treatment  of  the  poor,  on  Monday 
morning,  in  the  Cambridge  Hall,  14,  Newman  Street,  Oxford  Street.  He  attends 
between  the  hours  of  nine  and  twelve,  and  will  accept  no  money  for  his  services. 
A  large  number  came  to  be  healed  on  the  first  morning,  and  they  have  steadily 
increased  each  day.  Many  remarkable  cures  have  been  made.  It  would  be  of 
little  use  to  fill  our  columns  with  an  account  of  the  remarkable  instances  of 
benefit  which  could  be  culled  from  the  Doctor's  treatment  on  one  morning  only. 
A  few  will  give  our  country  friends  some  idea  of  the  Doctor's  method  and  success. 
Our  London  friends  can  go  to  the  hall,  and  occupy  the  spacious  galleries,  which 
are  devoted  to  the  use  of  spectators,  and  see  for  themselves.  Dr.  Newton  com" 
.  menced  on  Wednesday  morning  by  removing  a  curvature  from  the  spine  of  a 
young  lady,  the  daughter  of  Lady  Helena  Newenham.  A  lad  who  had  not 
spoken,  except  in  g.  whisper,  for  three  years  was  enabled  to  speak  in  a  hoarse 
voice,  so  as  to  be  heard  distinctly  over  the  hall.  The  doctor  manipulated  his 
throat  considerably,  and  caused  him  to  expectorate  a  deal  of  matter.  Mr. 
Hubbard  of  Kennington  and  Rathbone  Place,  was  cured  of  asthma  of  long 
standing.  Mr.  Watts,  Rathbone  Place,  was  cured  of  lameness  from  wounds, 
Mr.  Charles  Clutterbuck,  seventy-four  years  of  age,  had  been  totally  blind  for  six 
years ;  after  treatment,  he  could  see  faces ;  he  has  to  call  again  for  another  treat- 
ment, when  he  will  be  entirely  restored.  Mrs.  Anna  Crisp,  23  King  Street,  had 
been  paralyzed  for  three  years  j  cured  by  one  treatment.     She  had  been  affected 


THE  HEALER  IN  EUROPE.  213 

on  one  side  throughout.  Robert  Andrews,  151  Metropolitan  Meat  Market,  was 
considerably  blind  of  one  eye,  and  had  pains  in  the  head  and  hand ;  after  treat- 
ment he  pronounced  himself  '*  all  right."  James  Armstrong,  44  Brindley  Street, 
Harrow  Road,  was  afflicted  with  paralyzed  legs  for  nearly  two  years.  He  could 
walk  with  difficulty  on  a  pair  of  crutches,  but  he  went  away  with  his  crutches 
over  his  shoulder.  Many  who  were  not  perfectly  cured  were  much  relieved. 
Some  were  pronounced  absolutely  incurable :  "  It  would  be  as  easy  to  make  new 
eyes  as  to  cure  you,"  said  the  Doctor  to  several  who  were  entirely  past  recovery. 
Others  were  benefited,  though  their  perfect  restoration  was  an  unsolved  question  ; 
and  some  were  told  to  come  again,  others  that  their  diseases  were  mitigated,  and 
would  pass  away  in  a  few  weeks.  *  *  «  ♦  » 

Much  depends  on  the  mental  attitude  of  the  sufferer.  A  tall,  dark,  attenuated 
young  man  railed  at  the  Doctor,  calling  him  "  blasphemer,  imposter,  scoffer,"  &c. 
He  merely  observed  that  he  could  not  cure  a  man  in  that  state  of  mind.  "  Turn 
him  out,"  shouted  a  voice.  "  No,  by  no  means,"  interposed  the  Doctor ;  "  let 
him  alone,  he  is  fulfilling  his  mission  ;  he  cannot  help  it.  '  Woe  unto  you  when 
all  men  speak  well  of  you.'  Men  were  possessed  with  devils  in  the  olden  time, 
and  I  don't  see  why  they  should  not  be  now."  Thus  the  Doctor  offered  no  op- 
position to  the  opposition  he  received ;  but  with  words  of  wit  and  wisdom,  turned 
the  incident  to  good  account.  In  the  course  of  his  treatment,  the  Doctor  will 
pause,  and  sometimes  give  a  long  address  on  the  question  of  love,  humility,  and 
the  influence  of  Jesus  and  holy  spirits.  These  speeches  oftentimes  have  great 
effect  on  the  hearers,  as  the  words  come  with  peculiar  eloquence  and  power, 
backed  as  they  are  by  the  marvellous  cures  effected.  Sometimes  there  is 
scarcely  a  dry  eye  in  the  hall,  and  the  feelings  of  some  are  so  deeply  stirred  that 
they  burst  out  in  a  torrent  of  tears,  and  uncontrollable  exclamations.  No  one 
can  receive  the  influence  which  proceeds  from  him,  without  being  the  better  for 
it,  both  in  soul  and  body.  "  The  love  which  you  bear  to  me  I  bear  to  others," 
says  Dr.  Newton,  giving  all  present  a  deep  interest  in  his  work  by  showing  them 
how  they  can  aid  him  and  humanity  by  the  exercise  of  brotherly  love  and  universal 
charity.  If  the  Doctor's  views  on  this  point  could  be  carried  out,  no  doubt  but 
the  human  race  would  at  once  be  relieved  from  a  host  of  evils. 


HOW  TO  CONSULT  DR.  NEV/TON. 

Many  of  our  friends,  are  in  great  excitement  as  to  the  means  necessary  to 
gain  an  interview  with  the  "  Great  Healer,"  and  we  have  been  besieged  for  intro- 
ductions to  his  presence.  The  public  are  so  full  of  the  usual  medical  notion  of 
an  austere,  pompous,  professor  of  drugging,  with  crabbed  Latin  prescription  and 
gold-headed  cane,  that  they  are  not  prepared  to  behold  a  gentleman  whose  fee  is 
the  desire  to  benefit  man,  his  prescription,  "  Love  me,  love  all  men,"  and  his 
medicine,  the  potent  element  of  divine  action,  which  has  created  and  sustains  all 
things.  No  one  requires  any  introduction  to  the  Doctor,  nor  a  farthing  in  his 
pocket  to  pay  a  fee,  or  even  a  tongue  in  his  head  to  describe  his  complaint ;  Dr. 


214  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Newton  is  ready  at  all  times  to  dispense  his  gifts  according  to  circumstances, 
without  money  or  ceremony.  He  is  to  be  found  daily  at  the  Cambridge  Hall, 
Newman  street,  Oxford  street,  from  nine  till  twelve,  surrounded  by  a  crowd  of 
sufferers  and  on-lookers,  healing  the  people  by  dozens.  He  is  endeavoring  to 
find  a  suitable  locality  where  to  meet  special  patients  in  the  afternoon,  but  this  ar- 
rangement has  not  been  effected  yet.  Those  who  cannot  attend  personally 
should  send  a  scrap  of  clothing  in  a  letter,  and  they  will  receive  attention  through 
that  means.     A  piece  of  clean  clothing  should  be  sent. 

The  following  excerpts  are  from  issues  of  a  later  date  : 

DR.    NEWTON. 

This  eminent  healer  continues  his  beneficent  work  with  a  success  which 
transcends  our  most  sanguine  expectations.  We  are  able  to  present  only  the 
barest  outline  of  his  movements.  The  instances  of  cure  that  are  given  must  be 
regarded  as  specimens  only  of  the  bulk  of  those  which  are  daily  effected  by  Dr. 
Newton.  The  Spiritnalist  enumerates  105  cases  of  persons  cured  or  benefited 
by  Dr.  Newton  during  the  short  time  that  he  has  been  amongst  us,  stating  in  each 
case  the  nature  of  the  disease,  and  the  name  and  address  of  the  patient,  so  that 
any  who  choose  may  make  further  inquiry,  and  verify  the  facts  for  themselves,  or 
correct  any  inaccuracy  which  may  inadvertently  occur.  And  these  105  cases  are 
but  a  fraction  of  the  whole. 

Mr.  B.  Coleman,  of  Bernard  Villas,  Upper  Norwood,  under  date  of  May 
iSth,  writes : — "  I  met,  at  Dr.  Newton's  first  reception  on  Monday  last,  at  Cam- 
bridge Hall,  Mr.  George  Pulsford,  of  4  Vernon  Square,  King's  Cross  Road,  who 
had  just  been  operated  upon  for  deafness  in  his  right  ear.  He  said  he  had  lost 
the  hearing  of  that  ear  for  fourteen  years,  and  was  so  deaf  that  he  could  not  hear 
a  pistol  shot,  and  he  could  now  hear  a  whisper.  I  tested  him  by  asking  him, 
after  he  had  closed  his  left  ear,  if  he  heard  me,  and  though  I  spoke  in  the  lowest 
tone  of  voice,  he  answered  my  question  readily." 

DR.  NEWTON  AT  THE  REPOSITORY,  GRAY'S  INN  ROAD. 

This  place  is  of  some  interest  to  many  as  the  once  famous  Labor  Exchange  of 
Robert  Owen.  From  the  3d  to  the  15th  of  June,  Dr.  Newton  treated  the  sick 
here,  free  of  charge,  daily,  from  10  till  12. 

The  following  statements  as  to  the  relief  received  from  Dr.  Newton's  treat- 
ment were  taken  down  from  the  lips  of  the  patients  on  Thursday,  June  9th : — 

Mrs.  Breakspeare,  73  Cromer  street,  Gray's  Inn  Road.  Her  baby,  twelve 
months  old,  had  curvature  of  the  spine  for  last  six  months.  The  curvature 
entirely  disappeared  in  one  minute,  under  the  hands  of  Dr.  Newton. 

William  Gage,  76  New  Wellington  street,  Holloway,  bricklayer.  Numb- 
ness of  muscles  of  arm  and  hand  for  six  weeks,  so  that  he  could  not  perform 
particular  branches  of  his  work.     Cured  at  once. 

John  Pearson,  17  Leek,  street.  King's  Cross  Road,  tailor,  chronic  rheu- 
matics.    Unable  to  work  at  his  trade  for  last  ten  years.     Perfectly  cured  at  once. 


THE  HEALER  IN  EUROPE.  215 

W.  Wallace,  105  Islip  street,  Kentish  Town  Road.  Severe  case  of  rheu- 
matics; could  not  walk  properly.     Cured. 

Charles  Lenton,  20A  London  street,  Paddington.  Driver  of  cab  No. 
4,828.  Intense  suffering  from  rheumatics  for  two  or  three  years,  and  had  been 
under  the  hands  of  seven  doctors.  Cured  at  once,  although  he  had  been  in  in- 
cessant pain  for  several  days  up  to  the  minute  of  coming  under  Dr.  Newton's 
hands. 

Mrs.  G.  Way,  3  Circus  street,  Marylebone  Road.  Painful  lump  on  knee, 
about  as  big  as  a  nut,  caused  by  a  fall.     Lump  and  pain  disappeared  at  once. 

We  might  fill  this  Magazine  with  striking  incidents  and  cases.  Mr.  George 
Childs,  of  21  Offord  Road,  Barnsbury,  sends  the  following : — 

Mr.  Browning,  Great  Yarmouth  Villas,  College  avenue.  Hackney,  had  a 
stiff  knee  from  slipping  off  the  curb ;  a  cancer  on  the  left  breast  six  to  eight 
inches  in  breadth  ;  had  been  five  months  in  bed,  and  paid  from  two  to  four 
guineas  weekly  for  medical  attendance.  He  was  taken  in  a  cart  to  Dr.  Newton 
at  Cambridge  Hall ;  the  cancer  burst  the  same  evening ;  he  has  been  walking 
about  since,  has  a  good  appetite,  and  is  fast  recovering  health. 

Mr.  G.  Richards,  58  Earl  street,  Edgware  Road,  had  left  hand  and  arm 
paralyzed  for  three  years,  was  cured  by  Dr.  Newton  at  Gray's  Inn  Road  ;  and 
is  daily  telling  all  who  will  listen  to  him.* 

Miss  Wathen,  32A  New  Church  street,  Edgware  Road,  a  member  of  Dr. 
Burns'  congregation,  had  her  spine  injured  by  a  railway  accident,  so  that  the  bone 
was  much  displaced.  Had  been  under  medical  attendance  for  twelve  months, 
and  had  to  use  a  water  bed  for  nine  months.  She  went  to  Dr.  Newton's  house 
and  had  the  spine  rectified,  and  she  can  now  walk  about. 

CASE  OF  WM.  ASHLEY,  OF   LIVERPOOL. 

W.  Ashley,  5  Catherine  street,  Liverpool,  retired  merchant.  In  rapid  con- 
sumption ;  given  over  by  the  doctors,  who  told  his  wife  to  be  prepared  for  his 
death  at  any  moment.  Had  not  been  out  of  his  bed  for  five  months,  and  on 
Saturday,  May  7th,  burst  a  blood-vessel.  On  Sunday,  May  8th,  Dr.  Newton  saw 
him,  and  in  seven  minutes  brought  him  down  stairs  in  such  good  condition  that  he 
attended  a  public  meeting  the  same  evening.  Next  day  went  out  for  a  walk,  ate  a 
neat  dinner,  and  drank  ale  with  it.  Has  since  been  examined  with  a  stethoscope 
and  the  doctors  say  that  his  lungs  are  all  right.  He  writes  us : — "  Sir, — In  reply 
to  your  letter  of  yesterday  respecting  the  cure  by  Dr.  Newton,  I  can  only  add,  that 
so  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge  the  cure  is  a  permanent  one.  Some  days  ago  I  was 
examined  by  a  medical  man  of  standing  in  this  town  (not  my  own  medical  at- 
tendant) who  pronounced,  after  a  careful  examination,  the  lungs  all  right.  After 
this,  I  think,  I  need  not  add  more. — Respectfully  yours,  Wm.  Ashley." 

CASE   OF   THE   REV.   W.  C.   VAN   METER. 

Thi  Rev.  W.  C.  Van  Meter,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Howard  Mission  and 
Home  for  Little  Wanderers,  is  well  known  as  one  of  the  most  eminent  philan- 
*  See  a  more  detailed  account  of  this  case  further  on.— Ed. 


2l6  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

thropists  of  America — the  Miiller  of  the  United  States.  He  has  received  thou- 
sands of  destitute,  wandering,  and  orphan  children  into  the  Home,  where  they 
are  kindly  cared  for,  and  is  now  in  London,  hoping  by  his  observations  here  to 
improve  the  methods  by  which  the  great  philanthropic  work  of  his  life  may  be 
more  efficiently  promoted. 

On  June  20th,  1869,  Mr.  Van  Meter  slipped  on  a  piece  of  orange-peel  which 
threw  him  down,  and  two  ligaments  in  his  back  were  broken  by  the  fall.  He  was 
confined  to  bed  for  some  time,  and  was  under  the  medical  care  of  Drs.  Wood 
and  Palmer,  of  New  York.  The  best  medical  advice  in  that  city  could  do  nothing 
for  him,  and  he  was  advised  to  go  to  Italy  to  see  whether  the  climate  would 
benefit  his  general  health  and  promote  a  cure.  He  reached  Paris,  but  was  in  such 
a  weak  state  that  he  could  not  proceed  further.  He  put  himself  under  the  care 
of  Dr.  Ricard,  who  did  him  some  good,  and  he  was  enabled  to  proceed  on  his 
journey  to  Lyons,  Marseilles  and  Nice,  where  he  resided  one  month.  He  then 
visited  Florence,  Rome  and  Sorrento,  travelling  by  easy  stages,  all  of  which  time 
being  under  medical  treatment. 

He  came  to  London  on  May  20th,  and  took  some  hydropathic  treatment.  It 
happened  that  he  met  with  Mr.  Cowper,  of  Edgware  Road,  whose  son  was  so 
successfully  treated  by  Dr.  Newton,  as  stated  in  the  last  number  of  this  magazine. 
Mr.  Cowper  informed  Mr.  Van  Meter  of  his  son's  case  ;  but  Mr.  Van  Meter  said 
he  did  not  believe  a  word  of  it,  and  that  it  was  all  humbug.  He  had  heard  of 
Dr.  Newton  in  America,  and  of  his  having  cured  one  of  his  Sunday  School 
attendants,  but  had  never  given  the  matter  any  attention,  having  contented  him- 
self with  entertaining  the  popular  notion  that  the  Doctor's  powers  were  of  a 
delusive  nature.  Some  one  said  "  The  power  proceeded  from  the  devil,"  and  Mr. 
Van  Meter  replied,  "  Hurrah  for  the  devil,  then,  if  he  can  do  good  at  the  rate 
which  is  reported  of  Dr.  Newton  !  "  He  was  in  doubts  of  being  considered  a  foot 
for  consulting  Dr.  Newton,  and  he  determined  on  taking  his  friend.  Dr.  Smith,  of 
Chicago,  with  him  to  see  what  took  place.  He  accordingly  came  to  the  Pro- 
gressive Library  by  appointment,  on  Tuesday  morning.  May  24th,  and  Dr.  Smith 
was  present.  The  patient  had  walked  with  great  difficulty  from  Euston  Square, 
on  his  crutches,  to  Southampton  Row — the  lameness  being  caused  by  paralysis 
of  the  lower  extremities  proceeding  from  pressure  of  the  last  joint  of  the  back 
upon  the  spinal  cord,  which  caused  him  great  pain  as  well  as  unfitted  him  for 
walking,  except  with  great  difficulty  on  two  crutches.  One  of  his  legs  was  drawn 
up.  Mr.  Van  Meter  was  about  to  describe  his  case,  but  Dr.  Newton  immediately 
stopped  him,  and  placed  his  hands  on  his  spine,  enabling  him  to  walk  at  once  as 
well  as  he  had  ever  done  in  his  life.  He  ran  up  and  down  stairs  with  ease  and 
pleasure  ;  went  round  to  Euston  and  Tavistock  Squares  ;  visited  various  charitable 
institutions,  and  was  now  completely  recovered  from  his  painful  illness. 

This  narrative  was  given  by  Mr.  Van  Meter  himself,  in  presence  of  Mr.  H.  D. 
Jencken,  barrister,  and  other  gentlemen,  within  two  hours  after  the  cure  was  per- 
formed. He  had  almost  despaired  of  getting  cured.  He  is  now  residing  at  60 
Euston  Square,  and  is  ready  to  attest  the  truthfulness  of  this  statement.  The 
crutches  were  left  at  the  Progressive  Library. 


i 


THE  HEALER  IN  EUROPE.  21/ 

The  following  sketch  is  given  of  a  sermon  by  a  London  divine, 
on  "  The  Healing  Power  in  the  Church,"  "and  in  defence  of  Dr. 
Newton : — 

NEW  CHURCH  STREET  CHAPEL,  EDGWARE  ROAD. 

On  Sunday  last,  the  minister  of  the  above  place  (Rev.  Dr.  Burns),  delivered 
two  sermons  bearing  directly  on  the  spirit  of  progress  as  characterizing  our  times. 
In  the  evening  the  subject  was,  The  Healing  Power  in  the  Church  of  God  ;  text 
I.  Cor.,  xii.  9,  ''The  gifts  of  healing  by  the  same  spirit."  He  gave  the  subject  a 
rapid  scriptural  review,  and  shewed  how  God  had  given  the  healing  power  in  all 
ages  of  the  world,  to  Moses,  and  to  the  prophets,  and  others ;  to  Jesus,  who 
began,  continued,  and  concluded  His  ministry  with  it  (from  Matthew  iv.,  23) ;  to 
the  healing  of  the  high-priest's  servant's  ear  (Matt,  xxvi.,  51).  Yet  he  noticed 
Christ  did  not  always  employ  this  power  (Matthew  xiii.,  58),  and  that  He-could 
not  always  as  stated  (Mark  vi.  4 — 6).  This  arose  from  the  unbelief  of  the  people 
which  could  not  draw  out  of  Him  his  restoring  energy.  This  power  he  trans- 
mitted to  His  Apostles  (Matthew  x.,  i — 8),  and  to  the  seventy  disciples  (Luke 
X.,  i).  This  healing  power  Peter  and  John  employed,  restoring  the  lame  cripple 
(Acts  iii.,  i).  So  Paul,  by  the  handkerchiefs  and  aprons  being  brought  to  him 
(Acts  xix.,  11),  and  also  in  the  case  of  Publius  (xxviii.  i),  Philip  the  Evangelist, 
who  in  Samaria  preached  Christ  and  healed  the  sick  (Acts  viii.,  5 — 7).  James 
in  his  Epistle  gives  orders  how  prayer,  and  faith,  and  the  anointing  oil  wcce  to 
raise  up  the  sick  (chapter  v.,  14,  15).  He  then  said  there  was  an  abundant  evidence 
that  this  power  remained  in  the  Church  during  all  the  dark  ages  up  to  the  time 
of  the  Reformation,  and  from  that  period  to  the  present.  He  mentioned  Sava- 
norola,  St.  Bernard,  and  the  late  Cure  of  Ars,  near  Lyons,  in  France.  He  referred 
also  to  John  Wesley's  journal,  where  various  diseases,  and,  among  the  rest, 
cancers,  had  thus  been  cured,  and  where  names  and  dates  were  given  by  that 
eminently  holy  man.  He  noticed  now  the  visit  of  Dr.  Newton,  whose  life  had 
been  so  signally  useful  in  America,  and  had  recently  exhibited  in  a  most  remark- 
able manner  this  healing  power  in  Liverpool,  London,  and  other  places.  He 
defended  his  reputation  from  the  vile  aspersions  of  skeptics  and  revilers.  To 
some  of  the  objections  he  thus  replied  : — First,  that  it  was  mere  mesmeric  influ- 
ence on  the  imagination,  which  he  thought  was  as  good  a  way  of  curing  as  any 
other,  and  much  cheaper  and  better  than  by  drugs,  &c.  Second,  that  Dr.  Newton 
did  not  cure  all,  neither,  said  he,  did  Jesus.  Third,  that  many  intelligent  persons 
did  not  believe  in  Dr.  Newton  ;  so  it  was  with  the  intelligent  scribes  and  pharisees, 
and  Jesus  Christ's  disciples  would  have  prevented  the  Man  casting  out  devils, 
because  he  did  not  go  with  them  ;  whom  Jesus  defended,  and  would  not  forbid 
His  work  of  mercy,  as  it  was  in  harmony  with  His  own  good  doing  (Luke  ix.,  4). 

Our  next  extract  answers  the  question, 

"WHO  IS  DR.  BURNS.?" 
The  interest  which  has  been  excited  by  Dr.  Burns' s  noble  defence  of  free 
thought  and  free  action  in  connection  with  Dr.  Newton,  has  given  rise  to  many 
inquiries  and  surmises  as  to  who  Dr.  Burns  is.     *    ♦    * 


2l8  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

To  satisfy  these  querists,  we  state  that  the  reverend  gentleman  is  not  related 
in  any  way  to  the  Progressive  Library  Burns,  and  for  further  particulars  we 
reprint  the  following  sketch  from  the  current  edition  of  "  Men  of  the  Time,"  a 
dictionary  of  eminent  living  characters,  edited  by  Edward  Walford,  M.A.,  and 
published  by  Routledge  Sc  Co. : — 

"  The  Rev.  Jabez  Burns,  D.D.,  was  born  in  a  humble  but  respectable  sphere, 
in  1805,  at  Oldham',  near  Manchester,  where  his  parents  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  body.  He  was  educated  first  at  Chester,  and  afterwards  at  the  grammar 
school  of  his  native  town.  Having  aided  his  father  for  a  time  as  a  chemist,  and 
acted  as  assistant  in  a  drapery  establishment,  he  joined  the  Methodist  New  Con- 
nexion. In  1826  he  removed  to  London,  and  soon  afterwards  commenced  his 
career  as  a  writer  on  religious  subjects.  His  first  two  works,  *  The  Christian 
Sketch  Book,'  and  *  The  Spiritual  Cabinet,'  published  in  1828  and  1829  re- 
spectively, gained  great  celebrity.  In  the  latter  year  Dr.  Burns  removed  to  Scot- 
land, and  early  in  1830  became  minister  of  the  United  Christian  Church  at  Perth, 
where  he  remained  for  five  years,  and  gained  great  popularity  by  his  successful 
advocacy  of  temperance  principles.  While  in  Scotland  he  published  a  volume 
of  religious  anecdotes,  and  also  a  sermon  on  *  The  Harmony  of  Scriptural  Elec- 
tion with  the  Universal  Love  of  God  to  the  World.'  There  also  he  edited  a 
periodical  devoted  to  Christian  union.  Dr.  Burns  commenced  his  ministerial 
duties  in  London  in  the  year  1835,  having  accepted  a  unanimous  invitation  to  the 
pulpit  of  the  General  Baptist  Congregation  Chapel,  Marylebone.  His  congrega- 
tion increased  so  considerably  that  twice  during  the  twenty-five  years  of  his 
pastorage  was  it  found  necessary  to  enlarge  his  chapel. 

"  Dr.  Burns,  though  a  Baptist,  adopts  the  most  liberal  church  polity,  and 
was  one  of  the  earliest  members  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  and  took  his  place 
in  the  conferences  held  in  Liverpool,  London,  Birmingham,  and  Edinburgh.  In 
1847  he  was  appointed  to  the  Annual  Association  of  General  Baptists,  held  in 
Vermont,  United  States.  He  has  been  elected  several  times  as  moderator  and 
one  of  the  preachers  of  the  Annual  Assembly,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  chair- 
man or  president  on  more  than  one  occasion. 

"  In  addition  to  his  own  pulpit  and  parish  labors,  he  has  lectured  in  almost  all 
the  towns  of  the  United  Kingdom,  on  temperance  and  kindred  subjects ;  edited 
several  different  journals  and  performed  an  amount  of  literary  work  beside  that 
is  prodigious. 

"  His  religious  works  have  had  an  immense  circulation  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  especially  *  The  Pulpit  Cyclopaedia,'  soon  after  the  publication  of 
which,  in  1846,  the  author  received  the  honor  and  title  of  D.D.  from  the  Wesleyan 
University  of  Middletown,  Connecticut. 

"  We  have  to  add  a  few  more  facts,  to  which  we  attach  quite  as  much  import- 
ance as  those  given  above.  Dr.  Burns  has  for  half  a  lifetime  been  an  intelligent 
student  of  human  nature  and  a  practical  philanthropist.  Phrenology,  physiology, 
mesmerism,  and  the  claims  of  hydropathy  and  the  temperance  movement  are 
familiar  to  him  as  the  breath  of  life.  For  thirty  years  he  has  preached  a  tem- 
perance sermon  annually  in  his  church,  and  thousands  of  such  sermons  and 
lectures  elsewhere.    This  embroilment  with  the  healing  power  question  is  no  new 


THE   HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  219 

feature  in  Dr.  Burns's  career.  The  writer  remembers  nearly  twenty  years  ago 
reading  a  broadsheet  issued  by  Dr.  Burns  and  his  temperance  friends  in  reply  to 
some  wine-bibbing  divines  who  politely  and  charitably  desired  to  excommunicate 
the  good  Doctor  for  his  total  abstinence  principles.  This  tussle  with  Dr.  New- 
ton's opponents  is  a  small  affair  to  a  veteran  like  Dr.  Burns,  and  history  will  not 
forget  his  faithfulness."    »    *    * 

Another  paragraph  in  the  same  paper  announces  that  "  Dr. 
Burns  has  had  the  great  kindness  to  place  his  chapel  in  New 
Church  Street,  Edgware  Road,  at  the  disposal  of  Dr.  Newton. 
The  Doctor  will  treat  the  sick  there  daily." 

On  accepting  this  offer,  Dr.  Newton  issued  the  following  cir- 
cular : — 

"  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  will  heal  the  sick  poor  daily,  at  The  Rev.  Dr.  Burns's 
Church,  New  Church  Street  Chapel,  Edgware  Road,  on  and  after  Monday,  June 
27,  from  ten  till  twelve,  noon.  Dr.  Newton  has  the  '  gift  of  healing  '  by  touch, 
or  even  by  the  touch  of  the  garments  of  the  sick,  all  of  which  is  done  by  natural 
law.  He  does  not  pretend,  and  never  has  professed,  to  work  miracles ;  but  he 
does  affirm  that  his  power  is  of  God.  If  not  even  a  sparrow  falls  to  the  ground 
without  our  Father,  surely  the  healing  of  the  sick  can  be  done  by  none  other 
than  His  power.  *  In  Him  we  live  and  move  and  have  our  being.'  Residence 
— No.  34,  Upper  Park  Road,  Haverstock  Hill.  Hours  from  two  p.m.  till  six 
p.m." 

The  results  of  this  somewhat  novel  but  most  praiseworthy- 
undertaking  to  heal  the  sick  by  what  may  be  properly  styled  the 
Christian  method  of  treatment,  in  a  Christiafi  Chapel,  are  thus  de- 
scribed in  subsequent  articles : — 

DR.   NEWTON  IN   LONDON. 

During  the  week  Dr.  Newton  has  healed  publicly  every  morning  ;n  Dr. 
Burns's  Chapel,  New  Church  Street,  Edgware  Road,  Many  striking  cures  have 
been  performed,  some  of  which  will  be  reported  in  due  course.  Some  annoy- 
ance and  disturbance  was  created  by  the  enemies  of  Christianity  who  brought 
obloquy  on  that  time-honored  religion  by  opprobrious  acts  committed  in  its  name. 
The  conduct  of  such  men  is  useful,  as  it  makes  the  tenets  and  behavior  of 
Spiritualists  appear  to  advantage  when  contrasted  with  it  As  in  the  olden 
time,  healing  by  spirit  power  would  have  but  little  virtue  in  it,  if  it  did  not  arouse 
the  ire  of  the  scribes  and  pharisees.  Neither  Dr.  Newton  nor  any  of  his  friends 
have  ever  professed  that  he  could  work  *'  miracles."  Dr.  Newton  declares  con- 
tinually that  he  performs  his  cures  by  the  exercise  of  natural  law  ;  and  a  circular 
is  distributed  to  that  effect,  a  copy  of  which  we  printed  last  week.     Notwith- 


220  THE    MODERN   BETHESDA. 

standing  these  facts,  the  newspapers  continue  to  apply  the  term  "miracle-mon- 
ger "  to  the  doctor  for  the  purpose  of  having  an  excuse  to 'immerse  their  fingers 
in  the  congenial  dirt  with  which  they  delight  to  bespatter  the  object  of  their  in- 
sane aversions.  A  most  untruthful  and  irrational  account  of  a  case  of  blindness 
which  Dr.  Newton  with  characteristic  honesty  declared  he  could  not  cure  because 
the  organs  of  sight  were  destroyed,  is  given  by  the  daily  press.  The  father  in- 
sisted that  as  Dr.  Newton  considered  himself  "  greater  than  our  Lord,"  he  ought 
to  cure  all  cases  as  Jesus  did  so,  and  as  he  persisted  to  abuse  the  Doctor,  he  had 
to  be  removed  from  the  chapel.  The  results  of  this  affray  are  distorted  in  a 
ridiculous  manner  by  the  papers.  It  is  a  melancholy  fact  that  writers  for  the 
press  cannot  tell  the  truth,  if  to  do  the  contrary  will  please  their  masters  the 
ignorant  mob,  or  put  a  shilling  into  their  own  pockets. 

DR.  NEWTON'S  CURES  AT  DR.  BURNS'S  CHAPEL. 

To  the  Editor  of  The  Medium  and  Daybreak : 

I. — Mrs.  Hill,  17  Dudley  Place,  Paddington  Green;  had  been  an  invalid 
twelve  years,  the  last  four  years  bedridden;  had  advice  from  hospitals  and 
medical  gentleman,  all  told  her  the  one  thing — her  case  was  hopeless.  A  mem- 
ber of  Dr.  Burns's  church,  hearing  his  kind  pastor  had  offered  his  chapel  to  Dr. 
Newton  for  healing  purposes,  being  a  constant  visitor  at  Mrs.  Hill's,  told  her  he 
would  carry  her  to  the  Doctor  if  she  would  like  to  try  the  means  employed.  She 
consented,  knowing  that  it  is  our  duty  to  use  every  means.  Dr.  Newton  told  her 
at  once  he  could  make  her  walk,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  she  walked  from 
the  table-pew  to  the  body  of  the  chapel,  and  would  have  walked  home  if  the  mob 
would  have  allowed  her.  "We  were  anxious  that  days  should  elapse  before  we 
called  upon  her.  On  the  twelfth  day  we  found  her  stronger  and  better  able  to 
walk.  If  Dr.  Newton  had  no  other  case  than  this  one,  we  think  it  would  amply 
repay  him  for  his  trouble  in  coming. 

2. — Harriet  Redding,  16  North  Wharf  Road,  Paddington  ;  had  rheumatics, 
unable  to  bend  her  knees ;  now  is  able  to  kneel,  and  expresses  herself  very  grate- 
ful to  Dr.  Newton. 

3. — Mr  Templar,  16  North  Wharf  Road,  Paddington;  had  been  suffering 
much  pain,  through  hip  out  of  joint,  of  long  standing.  He  said,  "  One  of  my  legs 
is  shorter  than  the  other.  I  did  not  expect  Dr.  Newton  to  give  me  a  long  leg  for 
a  short  one  ;  but  this  I  do  know,  he  has  taken  away  the  pain,  and  no  one  can 
make  me  believe  I  have  got  it." 

4. — Jefferey  Davis,  2  North  Place,  Hatton  Street ;  hip  out  of  joint ;  quite 
cured. 

^.—Miss  Monk,  7  North  Street,  Grove  Road  ;  she  was  suffering  from  dropsy, 
and  lump  in  the  throat  caused  her  to  suffer  with  bronchitis  most  of  the  winter. 
It  is  now  six  weeks  since  I  took  her  to  see  Dr.  Newton.  She  came  to  the  chapel 
and  thanked  him,  told  him  she  was  quite  well,  never  better  in  her  life.  We 
called  upon  her  since,  and  she  says  she  will  be  glad  to  see  anyone  if  they  doubt, 
this  statement. 

(5. — Mr.  Bird,  Carlisle  Mews,  came  as  a  looker-on  ;  his  minister  said  to  him 


THE  HEALER  IN  EUROPE.  221 

'*  You  have  been  suffering  great  pain  the  last  few  weeks,  and  I  am  sure  Dr.  New- 
ton will  relieve  you."  The  Doctor  did  effectually,  for  all  pain  was  taken  from 
him  before  he  left  the  chapel.  The  next  day  he  came  and  told  the  Doctor  his 
wife  was  ill  with  rheumatic  fever,  had  been  in  bed  several  days.  The  Doctor 
described  her  case  and  the  position  she  was  in ;  told  him  he  must  get 
her  up,  and  give  a  free  circulation  of  air  to  the  room,  use  plenty  of  cold 
water  to  the  suffering  part,  and  give  her  a  mutton  chop.  I  called  a  few 
hours  after  and  found  her  gaining  strength,  and  the  pain  had  left  her.  Her  hus- 
band showed  me  the  rings  that  had  to  be  filed  off  her  fingers  from  their  being  so 
swollen.  Dr.  Newton  said  she  would  be  in  her  own  place  at  chapel  on  the  fol- 
lowing Sunday,  and  true  it  was.  Now  she  is  able  to  attend  to  her  duties  quite 
well.  They  both  say  they  shall  ever  feel  thankful  to  Almighty  God  that  Dr. 
Newton  came  to  New  Church  Street  Chapel.  Any  person  is  at  liberty  to  call 
upon  them. 

7. — Mr.  CoE,  16  Princess  Street,  Grove  Road ;  was  thrown  from  his  chaise 
some  months  ago,  and  suffered  great  pain.  The  night  before  he  came  to  Dr. 
Newton  he  had  no  sleep  from  pain.  Dr.  Newton  took  the  pain  from  him  at  once. 
He  has  been  asked  by  enemies  of  Dr.  Newton  whether  it  is  true.  He  says, 
"  This  I  know,  Dr.  Newton  cured  me."  Mr.  Coe  says  he  was  so  pleased  with  the 
kind  manner  of  Dr.  Newton  that  he  has  no  doubt  that  the  Doctor  is  a  real 
Christian  man. 

8. — Mrs.  Rickets,  10  Avenue  Market;  had  not  been  out  of  doors  for  six 
months.  She  sent  her  slipper.  Dr.  Newton  said,  "  She  will  be  able  to  walk 
here  to-morrow."  She  came  to  the  chapel,  and  walked  home,  is  still  able  to  walk, 
and  is  much  improved  in  health  generally. 

9. — Mrs.  Waland,  i  Charles  street,  Devonshire  street ;  had  her  arm  broken 
some  months  ago.  She  came  to  Dr.  Newton  in  great  pain;  he  cured  her. 
When  we  called  upon  her  she  said,  "  Give  my  thanks  and  blessing  to  the  good 
Doctor,  and  you,  too,  for  coming  to  look  after  me.  I  hope  he  will  still  do  good 
to  poor  people.  It  is  a  great  disgrace  to  the  nation  to  treat  him  so.  God  bless 
you  both." 

10. — William  Sayer,  13  Devonshire  Place;  suffered  with  rheumatics  and 
paralysis.  Dr.  Newton  quite  cured  the  pain  in  his  hip,  but  the  contraction  of 
the  hands  still  remains. 

II. — William  King,  17  Devonshire  street;  gout  and  rheumatics,  had  not 
been  able  to  bend  his  ankle,  and  suffered  intense  pain.  His  hip  joints  were  so 
stiff  that  he  could  not  bend  so  as  to  sit  down.  Now  he  can  stoop  or  sit  down 
close  to  his  heels.     Many  in  the  neighborhood  can  testify  to  this. 

12. — Amelia  Allan,  of  Islington  ;  had  been  afflicted  with  fits  for  years,  and 
had  three  or  four  a  day ;  she  had  been  operated  on  by  Dr.  Newton,  and  called  at 
the  chapel  and  said  she  had  been  free  from  fits  for  twelve  days. 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  many  cases  that  have  come  under  our  observa- 
tion. They  are  also  the  most  marked  cases.  We  have  visited  some  of  them 
several  times,  and  delayed  our  report  to  give  full  opportunity  for  relapse  or  im- 
provement. We  have  also  known  several  of  the  persons  named  above  for  years, 
and  are  intimately  acquainted  with  their  previous  condition  and  subsequent  cures. 


222  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

We  have  found  one  patient  who  had  a  return  of  her  pains,  but  her  circumstances 
were  sufficient  to  cause  such  pains,  as  she  had  exposed  herself  to  draughts.  We 
observe  that  those  of  the  most  cheerful,  resigned,  grateful,  and  pra3-erful  dis- 
position have  received  most  benefit,  while  the  grumbling,  fretful  people  who 
have  not  received  as  much  benefit  as  they  could  desire  do  not  seem  to  be  so 
blessed  with  what  they  have  received.  All  uniformly  speak  with  the  deepest 
feeling  of  Dr.  Newton's  great  kindness  and  gentleness  with  them,  and  the  mani- 
fest desire  which  he  exhibited  to  relieve  their  sufferings.  On  a  future  occasion 
we  desire  to  report  more  cases,  and  some  are  now  progressing  who,  we  hope,  after 
another  treatment,  may  be  reported  cured.  If  space  would  permit,  we  might 
give  a  long  and  interesting  account  of  the  wonderful  manner  in  which  Dr.  New- 
ton described  those  whose  garments  were  brought  to  him,  even  to  their  state  of 
body,  surroundings,  and  the  marks  on  their  faces.  These  features  of  his  labors 
have  deeply  interested  us,  and,  taken  in  connection  with  his  remarkable  power 
over  disease,  impress  the  mind  with  the  fact  that  he  possesses  powers  far  above 
those  of  ordinary  men. 

Miss  E.  A.  Wathen,  32A  New  Church  street. 

Mrs.  E.  Cowper,  388  Edgware  Road. 

The  ladies  who  prepared  and  signed  the  foregoing  statement 
were  members  of  Dr.  Burns'  Church. 

This  most  Christian  use  of  a  Christian  chapel  appears  to  have 
aroused  criticism  and  hostility  of  a  very  malignant  character,  call- 
ing forth  from  the  Rev.  pastor  the  following  pungent  and  unanswer- 
able defence  of  his  action  : 

DR.  NEWTON  AND  HIS  MISSION  OF  HEALING. 

Some  months  ago  my  attention  was  called  to  Dr.  Newton's  healing  power, 
by  an  esteemed  neighbor  of  mine,  who  added,  *'  he  will  soon  be  in  England,  and 
then  you  will  see  the  great  things  that  will  be  done."  Well,  in  due  course,  Dr. 
Newton  arrived,  and  began  his  humane  and  benevolent  work  in  Cambridge 
Hall,  Newman  Street,  where  day  after  day  crowds  of  sick  persons  waited  on 
him.  My  time  was  so  fully  occupied,  that  I  could  not  go  even  this  twenty 
minutes'  walk  to  see  and  judge  for  myself.  But  I  heard  of  astounding  cures  ; 
and  seeing  that  one  of  the  most  useful  men  in  Christendom,  Rev.  Mr.  Van 
Meter,  of  New  York,  had  laid  aside  his  crutches,  away  I  went  to  see  him,  having 
a  friend  with  me,  that  the  testimony  might  be  heard  by  another  as  well  as 
myself.  As  it  had  been  reported,  Mr.  Van  Meter  had  been  relieved  of  his 
crutches,  and  after  using  them  more  or  less  for  a  year,  through  injury  of  his 
spine  by  a  fall,  was  now  walking  several  miles  daily  without  them.  Mr.  Van 
Meter  described  most  clearly  how  Dr.  Newton  had  effected  this  change,  ascrib- 
ing it,  not  to  miraculous  power,  but  to  natural  laws  and  God's  blessing,  in  which 
I  fully  concurred.  I  returned  home  convinced  that  an  extraordinary  benefit  had 
been  conferred  on  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Meter  by  Dr.  Newton's  agency.  Then,  a 
neighbor  of  mine,  whose  son  had  gone  on  crutches  for  some  eight  years,  I  saw 


THE  HEALER  IN  EUROPE.  223 

daily  walking  without  them.  Then,  a  working  man,  whose  hand  had  been 
paralyzed  for  twelve  months,  stopped  me  in  the  street  and  showed  mc  he  had 
now  full  power  over  his  hand,  and  used  it  as  before. 

Dr.  Newton  removed  from  Newman  Street  to  Grey's  Inn  Road,  and  still 
cures  were  said  to  be  daily  performed ;  but  I  never  attended  any  of  these  healing 
gatherings. 

At  a  Soiree  given  in  the  Cavendish  Rooms,  having  received  a  complimentary 
ticket,  I  went,  and  for  the  first  time  saw  Dr.  Newton ;  but  with  the  exception  of 
his  kind  expressions  towards  myself,  he  was  silent  during  my  presence,  and 
equally  so  Mr.  Peebles,  who  spoke  in  reply  to  the  address  presented  to  him, 
after  I  left  the  assembly.  It  seemed  to  me  marvellous  that  the  most  bitter 
hatred  and  every  conceivable  reproach  was  heaped  on  Dr.  Newton,  whose  public 
healings  were  extended  without  fee  to  the  most  poor  and  wretched  of  the 
afflicted  who  went  to  him  ;  and  more,  that  he  should  be  put  to  great  expense  in 
paying  for  a  convenient  place  for  doing  good  to  the  miserable  and  diseased  who 
sought  his  aid.  At  this  crisis,  Dr.  Newton  and  a  gentleman  from  Birkenhead 
called  on  me  at  my  study,  and  I  said  to  the  doctor  that  the  public  papers  con- 
tained astounding  notices  of  his  views  and  teachings,  what  I  presumed  were 
gross  exaggerations,  if  not  entirely  untrue  ;  and  I  further  said,  "  if  you  will  come 
here  and  heal,  as  God  may  give  you  power,  our  chapel  will  be  at  your  service. 
Let  me,"  I  said,  "  do  the  teaching  and  you  the  healing,  and  if  good  is  done  to  the 
suffering,  I  shall  rejoice."  This  offer  was  very  gratefully  accepted,  and  the 
Monday  week  was  fixed  as  the  day  of  commencement.  I  had  not,  and  afterwards 
did  not  ask  counsel  of  my  friends  as  to  the  course  I  adopted,  for  I  was  anxious 
not  to  compromise  relatives  or  friends  in  the  matter,  and  for  the  malignant 
spirit  that  was  abroad,  I  felt  disposed  to  take  the  odium  entirely  on  myself.  In 
this  way  all  were  free  to  come  and  observe  and  judge  for  themselves,  and  believe 
and  concur,  or  otherwise,  without  personal  responsibility  of  any  kind.  I  have 
often  done  the  same  in  various  matters  concerning  my  church  and  congregation. 
I  did  so  in  reference  to  the  expulsion  of  intoxicating  wines  from  the  Lord's 
Table  and  from  the  vestry  cupboard.  I  did  so  in  allowing  the  American  Indian 
chief  the  use  of  my  pulpit,  and  in  permitting  Christian  women  to  lecture  and 
even  preach  in  our  chapel.  I  have  done  so  in  many  cases  where  public  opinion 
and  what  is  called  Christian-church  opinion  was  dead  against  me.  I  have  never 
inquired  in  these  matters  what  is  respectable,  what  is  popular,  what  will  please, 
or  what  will  pay — but  what  is  right,  what  will  do  good,  and  what  is  in  harmony 
with  the  practical  Christianity  of  the  New  Testament.  Believing  that  to  heal  or 
benefit  in  the  slightest  degree  the  afflicted  is  so,  I  cheerfully  accorded  to  Dr. 
Newton  our  place  of  worship.  That  the  chapel  has  been  desecrated  will 
depend  much  on  the  stand-point  from  which  we  look  at  it.  As  a  Protestant 
Nonconformist,  I  do  not  believe  in  the  consecrated  sacredness  of  walls,  or  pews, 
or  pulpits.  The  glory  of  a  house  of  worship  is  the  Divine  presence  in  the 
influences  of  his  Spirit  and  grace.  But  if  our  place  of  worship  was  desecrated, 
it  was  by  rude,  unmannerly  people  who  pass  themselves  off  as  Christians,  who 
came  to  mock,  and  rail,  and  hate  both  the  healer  and  the  healed. 

One  of  those  brought  a  stone-blind  child,  that  he  might  tantalize  the  Doctor, 


224  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

and  then,  like  a  son  of  Belial,  deliver  himself  of  all  the  foul  accumulations  of  his 
diseased  mind  in  the  House  of  God.  I  felt  then,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life 
that  our  place  was  desecrated,  and  that  the  lowest  hovel  in  creation  would  have 
been  desecrated  by  conduct  so  rabid  and  malignant.  It  was  with  extreme  regret 
that  I  could  not  prevail  on  him  to  be  silent  or  to  leave  the  building ;  and  at 
length,  though  an  intensified  peaceman,  I  had  no  alternative  but  either  to  have 
the  place  turned  into  a  scene  of  riot  or  allow  a  sufficient  modicum  of  muscular 
Christianity  to  be  applied,  that  he  might  get  into  the  open  air,  where  he  would 
probably  sooner  recover  from  his  paroxysm  of  fury. 

Before  Dr.  Newton  came  to  us,  I  prepared  ruled  paper,  and  employed  a  per- 
son to  report  name  and  address,  with  disease,  and  relief  obtained,  that  we  might 
afterwards  visit  them  in  their  own  houses  at  our  leisure,  and  see  if  the  benefit 
was  permanent  or  otherwise.  In  the  admission  of  persons  to  the  chapel,  we 
took  them  as  they  came, — many  had  to  be  carried,  many  with  crutches,  many 
miserably  lame  and  afflicted  children,  many  deaf,  many  with  diseases  of  the  eyesj 
many  paralytics,  and  other  cases  of  sciatica,  diseased  spine,  epleptics,  &c.,  &c. 
A  number  of  cases  were  pronounced  hopeless  ;  many  were  slightly  benefited, 
while  a  great  number  were,  to  all  appearances,  cured.  In  Dr.  Newton's  mode  . 
of  operation,  as  a  physician,  he  prescribed  both  external  and  internal  collateral 
remedies :  as  warm  water  freely  poured  on  the  head  and  back  ;  as  the  applica- 
tion of  cloths  dipped  in  cold  water  or  alum  water ;  as  the  abandonment  of 
tobacco  and  bad  moral  habits ;  as  the  necessity  of  prayer,  and  faith  and  love  to 
the  Father  of  mercies  and  toward  all  mankind.  Dr.  Newton  evidently  has  great 
faith  in  the  ministrations  of  the  holy  angels,  and  concludes  that  heavenly  mes- 
sengers may  be  employed  by  God  in  doing  good  to  men,  or  in  strengthening  his 
servants  in  works  of  mercy,  as  the  angel  did  the  "  Man  of  Sorrows "  in  his 
bitter  agony  (Luke  xxii.  43.) 

The  things  I  have  admired  in  Dr.  Newton  are  his  freedom  from  guile,  and 
childlike  spirit ;  his  utter  absence  of  all  respect  of  persons — often  paying 
greatest  attention  to  the  most  deplorable  of  the  objects  that  come  to  him ;  his 
entire  unselfishness — laboring  to  bless  the  diseased  poor,  without  any  proba- 
bility of  earthly  recompense  ;  his  marvellous  faith,  working  itself  out  in  love, 
power,  and  intensified  sympathy  towards  the  afflicted.  His  allowing  the  rich  to 
leave  fees,  if  they  get  benefit  in  the  handsome  house  he  has  hired  for  their 
service,  is  not  a  very  remarkable  exhibition  of  Mammonism ;  if  so,  let  the 
medical  profession  adopt  it  and  share  the  spoil  with  him !  I  am  quite  aware 
that  no  course  he  could  adopt  would  disarm  opposition.  Persons  must  have 
some  sympathy  with  him  and  his  objects,  so  as  cordially  to  harmonize.  Many, 
like  Thomas,  must  have  material  evidence  before  they  believe  ;  while  others, 
with  the  Apostles,  do  not  need  to  thrust  their  hand  into  His  side,  but  can 
receive  Him  as  their  Lord,  when  He  breathes  upon  them,  and  says,  "  Peace  be 
to  you ! "  There  are  many  men  of  learning  and  science  who  do  not  believe  in 
angel  or  spirit,  and  unless  they  could  see  and  measure  or  weigh  them,  will  remain 
skeptics.  But  of  good-doing,  all  Christian  people  have  the  simplest  of  tests 
given  to  them  by  the  greatest  of  all  Teachers  :  "  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know 
them."    Every  good  tree  bringeth  forth  good  fruit."    Hence  I  account  relief 


THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  22$ 

from  pain  and  suffering  seems  to  be  good  fruit.  The  poor  and  afflicted  think  so, 
and  are  grateful  for  it.  "  It  may  be,"  say  some,  "  mere  imagination  only." 
Well,  if  they  can  walk  and  feel  no  pain,  and  sleep,  and  eat,  and  work  as  they 
could  not  before,  this  kind  of  imagination  is  much  to  be  desired  ;  and  blessed 
are  all  they  who  find  it.  As  to  the  mystery  of  the  process,  our  ignorance  even  of 
the  material  laws  should  humble  us,  but  our  greater  ignorance  of  spiritual  and 
moral  forces  should  at  least  preserve  us  from  a  rash  and  unseemly  dogmatism 
and  bitterness.  All  good  is  from  the  Infinite  Source,  the  Father  of  Lights  and 
the  God  of  unbounded  mercy,  and  He  can  employ  as  the  medium  of  His 
communications  angels  or  men.  He  embodied  this  love-power  in  His  well 
beloved  Son,  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  But  though  it  dwelt  in  Him  in 
all  the  fulness  of  grace,  yet  men  hated  Him,  reviled  him,  blasphemed,  and  linked 
Him  with  the  Prince  of  the  demons.  Many  of  His  own  disciples  forsook  Him 
(John  vi.  66),  and  human  hate  was  never  satisfied  till  they  hung  Him  on  the 
cross,  and  mocked  His  dying  agonies  by  bitter  irony,  saying,  "  He  saved  others. 
Himself  He  cannot  save."  "  If  they  do  these  things  in  a  green  tree,  what  shall 
they  do  in  the  dry  ? "  No  marvel  that  a  poor  finite  worm  like  Dr.  Newton 
should  be  trampled  on  with  the  foot  of  hateful  derision,  when  the  mad  religion- 
ists of  Jerusalem,  with  wicked  hands,  crucified  and  slew  the  Lord  of  Life  and 
Prince  of  Glory.  Let  opponents  avoid  falsehood  and  slander,  and  truthfully 
listen  to  the  wise  counsel  of  Gamaliel  of  old  :  "  Refrain  from  these  men,  and  let 
them  alone,  for  if  this  counsel  or  this  work  be  of  men,  it  will  come  to  nought ; 
but  if  it  be  of  God,  ye  cannot  overthrow  it :  lest  haply  ye  be  found  even  to  fight 
against  God"  (Acts  v.  38,  39.) 

I  do  not  profess  to  define  the  nature  of  the  healing  power  Dr.  Newton 
exerts,  but  I  am  inclined  to  designate  it  Christian  magnetism, — that  is,  magnetic 
energy  or  will-force,  sanctified  by  prayer  and  faith  and  love,  and,  of  course, 
accompanied  by  the  Divine  blessing.  But  as  I  have  no  system  to  set  up  or 
defend,  I  leave  others  at  liberty  to  call  it  what  they  please  ;  but  I  have  never 
read  of  evil  influences  being  used  to  relieve  human  misery,  or  to  make  men 
healthier,  happier,  or  better. 

To  the  well-named  Lunarites*  of  the  district,  the  chief  fomenters  of  the 
blatant  sounds  of  emptiness  and  folly,  the  advice  of  Gamaliel  is  particularly 
appropriate,  and  I  only  regret  that  to  the  deeper  maladies  of  the  soul  Dr. 
Newton's  powers  do  not  extend ;  for  these  more  deplorable  afflictions,  the  two- 
edged  sword  of  Divine  Truth  and  the  energy  and  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit  are 
alone  adequate. 

To  feel  for  the  wretched  is  human ;  to  attempt  to  relieve  them  is  Christian  ; 
to  sympathize  with  good-doers  is  angelic  (Luke  xv.  10) ;  but  to  slander  and 
mock  and  hate  is  diabolical  ! 

The  following  additional  notable  cures  are  reported  as  having 
occurred  in  London : 

*  Referring  to  the  adherents  of  a  person  named  Moon,  who  was  a  sort  of  leader  in  this  oppo- 
sition.— Ed. 

IS 


226  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

A  HOPELESS  CASE  CURED  BY  DR.  NEWTON  INSTANTLY. 

On  Wednesday  morning,  Mr.  J.  Ashman  took  Dr.  Newton  to  see  Mr.  Ezra, 
of  No.  5  Surrey  Place,  Coleman  Street,  Camberwell,  who  had  been  carried  on  a 
bed  to  75  Newman  Street,  to  meet  the  doctor.  He  had  not  walked  for  four  years 
and  was  lying  down  when  the  doctor  saw  him.  Dr.  Newton  put  his  hands  on 
the  patient's  head  ;  said  it  was  a  very  bad  case,  but  that  it  would  be  instantly 
cured.  When  the  doctor  commanded  him  to  arise,  he  got  up  ;  and  went  out  for 
a  walk  with  Mr.  Ashman.  Some  ladies  who  were  present  were  in  transports  of 
joy  at  the  cure,  and  manifested  their  feelings  of  gratitude  in  a  very  impressive 
manner.  He  was  hopelessly  invalided,  and  had  tried  all  means  to  restore  health 
without  success. 


DR.  NEWTON  AT  CAMBRIDGE  HALL. 

Last  week  we  had  the  pleasure  of  reporting  some  of  the  many  cures  per- 
formed by  the  Great  Healer  at  the  above  hall.  During  the  last  few  days  of  the 
week  the  crowds  so  increased,  that  on  Saturday  the  doctor  found  it  impossible 
to  proceed  as  the  throng  burst  the  barriers  and  closed  him  in  upon  all  sides  com- 
pletely. The  crowd  in  the  street  was  considered  an  impediment  to  business,  and 
the  hall  was  refused  for  a  longer  term.  Dr.  Newton  was  thus  thrown  out  of  a 
place  in  which  to  meet  the  public,  and  at  the  moment  we  write  he  has  not  been 
suited  with  one. 

We  note  a  few  of  the  cases  which  have  been  reported  to  us  : 

Henry  Teson,  96  Milton  Street,  Finsbury,  had  been  given  up  by  Dr.  Walker 
as  incurably  lame.  He  was  carried  in  to  Doctor  Newton,  and  after  treatment 
could  walk  without  crutches. 

Miss  Lee  had  been  a  cripple  for  twenty-one  years ;  she  was  cured  by  Dr. 
Newton. 

Elizabeth  Fowler,  58  Bedford  Street,  Bedford  Square,  came  with  a  large  in- 
ternal tumor  ;  before  she  left  Dr.  Newton's  presence  the  swelling  had  consider- 
able lessened,  and  she  expressed  herself  much  relieved. 

Miss  Shaw,  5  Cambridge  Road,  Junction,  Kilburn,  walked  lame  from  the 
effects  of  carrying  a  child  about  when  a  growing  girl.  Dr.  Newton  rectified  the 
hip-joint,  making  it  snap.  The  cure  progressed  during  the  night,  and  next  day 
she  walked  straight,  and  her  limb  was  half  an  inch  longer  than  before. 

H.  D.  Jencken,  barrister-at-law,  Kilmorey-house,  Penge.  We  have  received 
the  following  letter: — "Sir, — In  reply  to  your  circular  respecting  the  cure  effected 
upon  me  by  Dr.  Newton,  I  have  but  to  restate  what  I  have  already  publicly  said — 
namely,  that  owing  to  the  injuries  I  had  received  in  Spain,  the  vision  of  the  left 
eye  had  become  impaired.  I  consulted  with  my  brother,  Dr.  Jencken,  who  ap- 
peared to  think  that  I  was  suffering  from  a  pseudo  astigmatism,  a  form  of  dis- 
ease very  difficult  to  cure ;  the  symptoms  commencing,  as  was  the  case  with  me, 
with  double  vision  and  colored  field  of  view.  The  cure  effected  by  Dr.  New- 
ton was  very  rapid,  and  after  he  had  mesmerized  me  a  second  time,  the  eye  en- 


THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  22/ 

tirely  recovered  its  power  of  sight. — Obediently  yours,  H.  D.  Jencken,  27th 
June,  1870." 

Sarah  Cole,  25  Warburton  road,  London  fields.  Nearly  blind  of  both 
eyes  and  could  only  just  see  to  dress  her  children.  The  cure  is  permanent  and 
complete.  She  can  now  thread  needles  and  read  newspapers.  The  doctors  had 
previously  told  her  that  her  condition  was  "  constitutional."  She  had  been 
treated  at  Opthalmic  Hospital,  Moorfields,  and  by  Dr.  Simmonds  of  Hackney, 
but  received  no  benefit.  For  ten  months  before  seeing  Dr.  Newton  her  eyes  had 
been  growing  worse  ;  they  were  very  much  inflamed  anti  throbbed  with  pain  inces- 
santly. Wore  a  sunshade  when  she  went  to  Dr.  Newton  because  she  could  not 
bear  the  light.  Dr.  Newton  cured  her  instantaneously,  and  in  walking  home  she 
had  no  pain,  no  inflammation,  no  dimness,  no  sunshade.  Her  cure  is  obvious  to 
all  who  know  her.  She  says — "  This  I  know,  before  I  went  to  Dr.  Newton  I  was 
nearly  blind,  but  now  I  see." 

George  Huckle,  18  Great  James-street,  Bedford-row,  builder,  the  conserva- 
tive who  was  indignant  at  the  abuse  of  Dr.  Newton  in  The  Standard  newspaper, 
writes: — "June  21st,  1870.  Sir, — In  answer  to  your  note  of  June  15th,  I  am 
happy  to  say  that  I  have  not  had  a  pain  in  my  hip-joint  since  I  was  under  the 
treatment  of  Dr.  Newton.  There's  still  a  weakness  in  the  leg,  arising,  I  think, 
from  the  leaders  in  my  leg  being  drawn  up,  and  the  leg  is  and  has  been,  only 
about  two-thirds  the  size  of  the  left  leg.  As  I  told  you,  I  have  had  the  disease 
in  it  for  five  years,  and  it  was  still  getting  worse.  I  am  thankful  that  I  went  to 
Dr.  Newton.  I  have  been  under  medical  treatment  by  my  family  doctor,  and  I 
have  been  to  St.  Bartholomew's,  King's  College,  and  Royal  Hospitals,  and  never 
got  any  relief  from  the  pain.  Wishing  Dr.  Newton  every  success  in  his  good 
work,  I  am,  yours  respectfully,  G.  Huckle." 

Eliza  Olive  Attree,  of  12  Charlton  Street,  Easton  Road,  bears  "testi- 
money  to  the  healing  power  of  Dr.  Newton,  who  cured  me,  with  one  treatment, 
of  pains  in  the  back  and  chest  of  twenty-two  years'  standing.  The  cure  is  per- 
mament.  Dated  August  25,  1870."  A  country  vicar  reports  his  gratitude  for 
the  cure  of  his  wife  of  a  distressing  weak  back,  which  had  prostrated  her  for  a 
long  time.  She  can  walk  without  inconvenience,  which  she  could  not  do  for 
years.  The  reverend  gentleman  also  received  benefits  himself.  Thus  the  work 
goes  on. 


A  WELL  MARKED  CASE. 

On  Saturday  last,  James  H.  Webb,  jun.,  of  3  Little  George  Street,  West- 
minster Abbey,  called  on  Dr.  Newton  for  advice  and  treatment.  When  he  was 
three  yards  from  the  Doctor,  and  before  Mr.  Webb  had  got  time  to  introduce  his 
case.  Dr.  Newton  exclaimed,  "you  have  gallstones,  and  you  will  pass  them  to- 
morrow." On  Sunday  afternoon  Mr.  Webb  called  again  with  two  gallstones 
vrhich  he  had  voided,  of  the  size  and  shape  of  two  small  kidney-beans.  They 
are  now  in  possession  of  Dr.  Newton  and  may  be  seen  by  all  who  desire. 


228  THE  MODERN  BETHESDA. 


A  TUMOR  CASE. 

2  James  Cottage,  Nursery  Boad,  Brixton  Road,  S.  W., 
August  24,  1S70. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have  felt  better  ever  since  I  came  to  you,  and  quite  free  from 
the  tumor  that  has  afflicted  me  over  fourteen  years.  I  am  very  thankful  to  you. 
I  cried  for  joy  at  getting  rid  of  the  tumor.  My  husband  also  feels  better  in  his 
chest  and  side,  and  he  wishes  me  to  thank  you  for  himself  and  me.  Make  any 
use  you  please  of  this  letter  ;  we  wish  it  to  be  printed  for  the  good  of  others. — 
I  remain,  yours  gratefully,  Margaret  Browning. 

To  Dr.  Newton. 


A  HINT  TO  BENEFIT  SOCIETIES. 

Why  not  take  advantage  of  Dr.  Newton's  presence  among  us  to  cure  the  re- 
cipients of  "  Club  money,"  and  save  the  funds.  Mr.  H.  Wooderson,  of  Hamp- 
ton Court,  was  taken  ill  with  eczema  in  the  latter  end  of  June,  1869  ;  but  did  not 
put  himself  under  medical  treatment  till  October  18.  At  that  time  he  was  so  ill 
that  he  was  confined  to  bed  for  three  months  under  the  advice  of  Doctor  Bar- 
ton, of  Hampton  Court,  who  drugged  his  unfortunate  patient  freely  with  arsenic 
and  other  poisons,  only  to  damage  the  nervous  system  and  augment  the  symp- 
toms. Mr.  Wooderson  then  attended  the  Hospital  for  Skin  Diseases,  56  Great 
Marlborough  Street,  where  he  was  an  out-patient  under  Dr.  Squires  for  four 
months.  Here  he  received  considerable  benefit;  but  his  weakness  and  nervous- 
ness were  so  great  that  he  could  not  walk  far  nor  attend  to  his  employment.  He 
was  treated  by  Dr.  Newton  at  Cambridge  Hall,  and  could  at  once  walk  well 
without  a  stick ;  went  direct  to  Hampton  Court  j  took  a  good  dinner,  and  went 
to  his  work  immediately.  He  had  been  receiving  sick  pay  from  the  Cambridge 
Union  Benefit  Society  ;  Secretary,  Mr.  Barrett,  21  Portugal  Street,  Lincoln's  Inn  ; 
but  at  once  declared  himself  "off."  He  is  now  well  and  hearty,  and  has  im- 
proved steadily  since  his  treatment  by  Dr.  Newton.  He  is  62  years  of  age,  of 
full  habits,  as  he  weighs  eighteen  stones,  and  he  blesses  the  day  he  ever  met  with 
Dr.  Newton.  He  may  be  seen  daily  in  front  of  the  King's  Arms  Hotel,  well, 
hearty  and  active. 


THE  PROGRESS  OF  DR.  NEWTON —QUAINT  SCENES. 

When  Cambridge  Hall  had  to  be  given  up.  Dr.  Newton  visited  many  afflicted 
persons  at  their  homes,  and  met  a  great  number  at  the  Progressive  Library, 
among  whom  he  made  some  good  cures.  On  Friday  last  he  commenced  at  The 
Repository,  277  Gray's  Inn  Road  ;  where  he  has  treated  the  sick  poor  daily,  from 
ten  till  twelve  gratuitously.     A  good  number  were  there  to  meet  him  on  the  first 


THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  229 

morning,  and  the  attendance  has  constantly  increased.  Some  very  quaint  scenes 
occur.  On  the  first  morning  a  lame  Irishman  came,  using  a  wooden  leg,  his 
natural  limb  projecting  out  behind  him,  bent  at  the  knee ;  with  much  labor  the 
doctor  unstrapped  the  wooden  auxilliary,  and  sent  away  the  gratified  and  grate- 
ful Hibernian  with  it  on  his  shoulder.  A  man  who  had  just  recovered  his  sight, 
stared  about  in  the  most  grotesque  manner,  amusing  to  behold.  Some  scenes 
are  deeply  affecting ;  some  groan  with  emotion,  shout  with  delight,  or  weep  with 
sympathy  and  gratitude.  A  knot  of  "  reverend  "  gentlemen  may  be  seen  scoffing 
mildly ;  or  reputed  "  healers  "  sneering  politely  ;  but  more  apparent  are  the 
earnest  attentions  of  eminent  physicians,  and  enlightened  divines.  Dr.  Newton 
is  steadily  winning  his  way  into  the  affections  and  respect  of  all  who  come  in 
contact  with  him.  Even  his  theology  is  beginning  to  recommend  itself  to  the 
common  sense  of  the  people,  and  they  begin  to  feel  that  it  is  "  no  more  strange 
than  true."  In  this  respect  Dr.  Newton  is  doing  much  more  good  than  by  his 
healing,  which  is  merely  a  temporary  expedient  for  warding  off  the  consequences 
of  an  imprudent  life.  But  his  teachings  respecting  the  Fatherhood  of  God,  and 
the  brotherhood  of  man — even  the  most  exalted  men  that  have  trod  the  earth — 
is  ennobling  and  elevating. 

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  TWO  LADIES. 

The  ladies  whose  names  are  appended  to  this  statement,  have  taken  a  praise- 
worthy interest  in  Dr.  Newton's  labors,  and  were  the  means  of  bringing  many 
sufferers  under  his  healing  hands.  Miss  Wathen  has  communicated  the  follow- 
ing statements  in  the  name  of  herself  and  Mrs.  Cowper: — 

Matilda  Hall  had  suffered  from  fistula  for  two  years,  and  the  best  medical 
skill  either  of  America  or  this  country  was  unable  to  relieve  her.  She  was  recom- 
mended to  visit  Dr.  Newton,  soon  after  his  arrival.  She  did  so,  and  felt  no  pain 
afterwards.  The  fistula  broke,  and  now  the  scar  only  remains.  She  called  to 
thank  Dr.  Newton  and  inform  him  of  her  recovery.  She  has  just  gone  to  Nevada, 
and  declares  that  she  would  gladly  travel  looo  miles  to  see  Dr.  Newton  if  the 
state  of  her  health  demanded  his  services.  A  young  lady  had  a  running  sore  on 
the  ankle  bone.  Miss  Wathen  took  her  stocking  to  Dr.  .Newton,  who  magnetized 
a  piece  of  lint  to  bind  on  the  sore,  saying  that  in  a  few  weeks  it  would  be  healed. 
At  the  end  of  the  third  week  the  lint  was  removed,  and  it  was  found  that  the 
ankle  was  quite  restored.  Dr.  Newton  never  saw  this  patient,  yet  she  felt  the 
shock  when  he  magnetized  the  lint,  and  from  that  time  the  pain  left  her. 

Miss  Wathen  has  taken  over  forty  garments  to  Dr.  Newton,  all  the  owners 
of  which  have  been  benefited,  and  some  cured.  On  SeptemlDer  — ,  Miss  Wathen 
took  some  garments  to  Dr.  Newton.  The  bag  containing  them  lay  closed  on  the 
table,  and  she  said,  "  Doctor,  I  have  brought  you  some  more  garments."  "  Yes," 
he  replied,  "  you  have  a  woollen  one  ;  bring  it  out,  and  I  will  describe  the  case." 
When  he  took  it  in  his  hand,  he  said,  "  This  woman  has  tic,  and  suffers  from  her 
head  a  great  deal.  There  is  consumption  in  the  family,  and  there  is  some  phlegm 
on  her  lungs  which  must  be  removed."  This  diagnosis  was  strictly  true.  When 
Miss  Wathen  returned  to  Paddington  she  was  told  that  at  4.40  p.m.  the  patient 


230  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

to  whom  the  woollen  garment  belonged  felt  her  pain  leave  her,  and  it  has  not 
returned  since.  The  hour  named  is  the  exact  time  when  Dr.  Newton  handled 
the  woollen  garment,  and  sent  the  shock  to  relieve  its  owner.  Miss  Wathen  also 
took  a  cap  belonging  to  a  hospital  patient ;  as  soon  as  Dr.  Newton  took  it  in  his 
hand,  he  said,  "  Paralysis  of  the  brain.  I  can't  cure  this  person,  but  she  may  be 
benefited."  This  opinion  was  in  accordance  with  that  of  the  medical  men  who 
had  charge  of  the  case. 

We  could  give  many  more  cases  of  Dr.  Newton's  healing  power  and  his  ability 
to  describe  correctly  absent  persons. 

**  *  *  **  *** 

Dr.  Newton's  disinterestedness  is  truly  great.  He  is  just  as  anxious  to  attend 
to  a  party  of  poor,  who  are  unable  to  pay  him  a  farthing,  as  he  is  to  treat  the 
rich  and  the  finely-dressed.  We  have  been  led  to  admire  Dr.  Newton  for  his  great 
power  to  do  good,  and  his  unfailing  love  to  use  that  power.  To  do  as  we  have 
done  was  a  duty  from  which  we  could  not  escape,  and  we  cannot  realize  the 
peculiar  temper  of  any  person  who  could  do  otherwise,  knowing  the  facts  respect- 
ing Dr.  Newton,  as  we  do.  With  thousands  more,  we  record  our  desire  to  see 
him  visit  London  again. 

E.  A.  Wathen,  32  New  Church  Street. 
Mrs.  Cov^PER,  388  Edgware  Road. 

The  success  which  attended  the  cases  brought  to  Dr.  Newton  by  Miss  Wathen 
is  worthy  of  special  note.  Every  case  was  benefited,  and  the  Doctor's  power  to 
describe  these  cases  was  even  better  than  usual. 


A  VISIT  TO  DR.  NEWTON. 

To  THE  Editor  of  the  Medium  and  Daybreak: — Sir, — Various  circum- 
stances prevented  the  realization  of  my  wish  to  visit  Dr.  Newton  until  Wednesday, 
the  14th  inst.,  when  my  wife  and  I  arrived  at  his  house  a  little  before  two  o'clock. 
When  Dr.  Newton  arrived,  his  genial  and  earnest  manner  made  us  friends  at 
once. 

After  some  conversation  he  placed  his  hands  on  my  wife's  head,  and  earnestly 
prayed  for  her  good,  spiritually  and  physically,  and  then  did  the  same  for  me. 
Presently  a  young  woman  arrived,  who  for  many  years  had  been  unable  to  speak 
above  a  whisper,  and  had  been  a  patient  in  hospital,  subject  to  a  variety  of  treat- 
ment ;  in  a  few  minutes  she  spoke  distinctly.  A  gentleman  who  had  suffered 
much  and  constant  pain  at  the  pit  of  the  stomach  for  six  or  seven  years,  came  in 
from  Dr.  Newton's  room  after  four  or  five  minutes,  declaring,  with  delight,  that 
he  was  entirely  free  from  pain.  A  lady  who  had  suffered  acute  pain  in  all  her 
limbs  for  more  than  twenty  years,  commencing  from  the  birth  of  a  son,  and  who, 
when  she  arrived,  ascended  the  steps  to  the  front  door  with  great  difficulty,  and 
sat  down  exhausted  with  the  effort,  went  into  the  Doctor's  room,  and  returned, 
her  countenance  beaming  with  joy  at  being  able  to  walk  again  without  pain, 
which  she  did  vigorously,  up  and  down  the   room  and  step  several  times — the 


THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  23 1 

expression  of  her  joy  and  gratitude  was  most  touching.  There  were  some  other 
patients  who  also  declared  themselves  relieved  of  their  ailments,  but  as  I  was 
much  engaged  in  conversation  with  a  lady  who  was  relieved,  but  from  what  pain 
I  am  unaware,  I  do  not  remember  the  details  of  other  cases. 

After  a  long  and  interesting  conversation  with  Dr.  Newton  and  friends,  and 
deeply  impressed  with  his  earnestness  and  faithfulness,  we  reluctantly  took  our 
departure,  with  the  greater  regret  on  learning  that  he  is  so  soon  to  leave  Eng- 
land. 


PARALYSIS  CURED. 

i6  Park  Street,  Bristol,  July  15,  1870. 

Sir, — I  have  read  an  account  in  the  Spiritual  Magazine  that  you  were  cured 
by  Dr.  Newton  of  a  very  serious  complaint ;  and  being  desirous  of  applying  to 
him,  should  I  receive  evidence  sufficient  to  show  that  his  powers  are  equal  to 
report,  I  shall  feel  obliged  if  you  will  kindly  say,  by  return,  whether  you  consider 
the  cure  he  has  effected  on  you  seems  likely  to  be  permanent. — I  am,  sir,  yours 
obediently,  D.  Marshall. 

To  Mr.  G.  Richards. 

58  Earl  Street,  Edgware  Road. 

Sir, — With  reference  to  a  report  in  the  Spiritual  Magazine  respecting  a  cure 
effected  on  me  by  Dr.  Newton,  I  beg  to  state  (not  liaving  seen  the  report  myself) 
I  would  not  undertake  to  say  a  word ;  but  I  do  most  readily  give  you  what  I 
consider  to  be  the  best  and  most  conclusive  evidence  in  support  of  any  benefit 
derived  (that  is,  from  the  individuals  themselves).  I  will,  therefore,  in  as  brief 
a  manner  as  possible,  inform  you  of  the  nature  of  my  complaint,  and  also  of  the 
cure. 

My  case  was  one  of  paralysis  in  my  left  hand  and  arm,  having  been  afflicted 
with  the  same  for  three  years,  during  which  time  I  could  not  close  my  hand.  In 
fact,  my  hand  and  arm  were  entirely  useless  ;  and  at  times  the  pains  were  so 
great  that  to  rest  was  quite  impossible.  I  was  recommended  to  see  Dr.  Newton, 
who  was  at  that  time  seeing  patients  at  Cambridge  Hall,  Newman  street,  Oxford 
street.  I  went  there,  without  questioning  the  source  from  whence  his  powers 
came.  Suffice  it  to  say,  my  hand  and  arm  that  were  paralyzed  on  entering  the 
hall,  were  not  so  on  leaving.  I  had  free  use  in  both,  and '  still  remain  so  up  to 
the  present  time.     I  have  experienced  no  pain  whatever  since. 

There  have  been  so  many  erroneous  reports  respecting  Dr.  Newton,  that  I  am 
prepared  to  substantiate  every  word  I  have  stated,  and  shall  ever  feel  grateful  to 
him  for  the  benefit  I  have  derived  through  his  visit  to  this  country. — I  remain, 
yours  truly,  G.  Richards. 

To  Mr.  D.  Marshall. 


232  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

GRATITUDE  TO  DR.  NEWTON. 

We  are  continually  receiving  letters  expressive  of  the  deep  gratitude  which 
those  who  have  been  benefited  bear  to  the  good  Doctor.  A  lady  who  has  been 
for  years  an  invalid,  remarks,  "  His  touch  is  certainly  marvellous,  for  I  got  in 
there  on  Wednesday  last,  so  prostrate,  faint,  and  sick,  that  I  wondered  how  I 
could  bear  the  drive  back,  and  he  refreshed  me  marvellously  in  ten  minutes.  I 
bore  the  drive  home  better  than  I  could  possibly  expect,  and  rather  relished  some 
dinner.  A  fiiend  called  during  the  evening  who  had  seen  me  four  days  after  I 
got  up  X6  town,  when  I  was  dreadfully  prostrate,  and  thought  me  looking  so  much 
better.     The  journey  has  been  very  heavy  to  me,  but  I  cannot  regret  it,  since,  if 

I  do  not  benefit  much  myself, has  certainly  lost  the  tumor  on  her  right  side, 

which  the  doctors  here  appeared  to  think  must  be  operated  upon  with  the  knife." 
A  friend  of  this  correspondent  had  a  child  who  was  in  a  dangerous  condition, 
entirely  cured  without  Dr.  Newton  seeing  it  at  all.  Such  are  some  of  the  cures 
which  are  being  done,  and  the  writer  of  the  above  requires  only  time  to  reap  the 
reward  of  her  painful  efforts  to  secure  this  healing  influence. 


LETTER  FROM  MR.  J.  MAYNARD. 

The  following  letter  has  been  addressed  to  the  Editor  of  The  Medium  : — 
*'  Sir, — In  reply  to  yours  of  the  28th  instant,  I  must  say  that  with  regard  to 
the  cures  performed  through  Dr.  Newton's  agency,  that  of  James  Davis,  residing 
at  2  John's  Place,  North  Street,  Edgware  Road,  is  very  striking.  He  was 
formerly  in  the  army,  and,  about  nineteen  years  back,  he  was  crushed  between 
two  guns,  and  his  hip  was  most  severely  injured.  Afterwards  catching  cold,  he 
found  that  he  could  not  move  the  joint,  and  could  not  raise  his  foot  upon  a  chair, 
and  was  always  in  very  great  pain,  and  always  worked  in  misery.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  Friday  week  last,  I  gave  him  permission  to  visit  Dr.  Newton,  having 
directed  him  to  see  him.  On  his  return  to  his  work  he  could  raise  his  leg  with 
ease,  and  expressed  his  gratitude  to  me  and  thankfulness  to  Dr.  Newton  for  the 
benefits  received,  as  he  says  he  has  not  been  able  to  raise  his  foot  from  the  ground 
more  than  a  few  inches  for  nineteen  years.  He  can  now  touch  his  chest  with  his 
(formerly  lame)  knee  with  ease,  and  has  not  felt  ache  or  pain  since.  His  hip  has 
resumed  its  proper  position  ;  there  is  now  no  protuberance  as  formerly.  He  is 
constantly  under  my  eye,  and  I  can  vouch  for  the  continuance  of  the  cure.  The 
little  girl,  Strut,  of  14,  Little  Earl  Street,  who  was  so  deaf  that  her  parents  had 
to  holloa  at  her  to  make  her  hear,  still  continues  to  hear  very  readily.  The  name 
of  Dr.  Newton  has  been  well  and  prominently  brought  forward  by  a  man  whose 
name  and  residence  I  have  not  as  yet  obtained.  He  was  a  frequenter  of  a  pub- 
lic-house in  New  Clmrch  Street,  kept  by  Mr.  Hill,  who  used  frequently  to  give 
•  Chaffy '  (the  name  the  man  is  known  by)  a  shilling,  on  account  of  his  not  being 
able  to  use  his  right  hand  from  a  contraction  of  the  joints.  He  is  a  farrier.  Last 
Saturday  he  went  into  the  house,  and  said,  '  Look  here,  Mr.  Hill,'  at  the  same 


THE  HEALER  IN  EUROPE.  233 

time  opening  and  shutting  his  hand,  '  this  is  what  I  can  do,  and  all  through  going 
to  see  Dr.  Newton.'  Some  persons  laughed  at  him,  and  from  what  I  can  glean, 
they  had  to  make  themselves  scarce  for  the  time  being.  He  is  quite  cured ;  and 
Mr.  Hill  can  testify  to  its  continuance. — Yours,  &c., 

"  24  Paddington  Street.  J.  Maynard." 

Davis  remains  well,  and  restored  as  above  described. 


"  THE  BLIND  RECEIVE  SIGHT." 

A  very  interesting  case  occurred  at  the  Progressive  Library  on  Tuesday  morn-  • 
ing.  Mr.  John  Blackburn,  from  Halifax,  arrived  in  London,  with  a  party  of 
friends  the  day  previous.  John  has  been  blind  for  eight  years,  so  that  he  could 
only  distinguish  light  from  darkness,  but  could  not  discern  any  objects.  Dr. 
Newton  operated  on  his  eyes,  and  almost  immediately  John  could  see  the  Doc- 
tor's face  and  beard,  Mr.  Burns's  white  waistcoat,  his  own  wife,  and,  in  less  than 
ten  minutes,  a  walking  stick  when  it  was  held  before  his  face  without  his  being 
apprised  of  its  being  so  held.  He  walked  about  London  all  day.  and  could  guide 
himself  very  well,  and  continues  to  improve.  Some  of  John's  friends  were  also 
treated  for  ailments,  and  received  great  relief.  One  from  lung  disease  of  eight 
years'  standing,  and  another  from  very  serious  heart  disease. 


'■'THE   LAME  WALK." 

Henry  Evans,  New  Street,  near  Kidd  Street,  Woolwich,  had  been  unable  to 
walk  for  twenty  months  without  the  help  of  two  persons.  Went  into  Guy's  Hos- 
pital for  eight  weeks,  then  three  months,  and  again  six  weeks.  The  doctors  were 
Moxon  and  Habershorne.  He  received  great  kindness  from  them.  Thcv  pro- 
nounced him  incurable,  but  told  him  that  he  was  welcome  at  any  time  to  return, 
and  they  would  do  their  best  for  him.  He  had  heard  of  Dr.  Newton's  cures,  but 
considered  his  case  too  bad  to  gain  relief.  His  wife,  hearing  of  a  person  who  had 
been  a  cripple  for  five  years,  and  whom  the  Doctor  had  cured,  persuaded 
him  to  go.  Two  friends  brought  him  into  the  house,  and  Dr.  Newton  said  he 
could  cure  him.  I  entered  the  house  just  at  the  time,  and  heard  the  man  re- 
joicing as  he  walked  about  the  room  and  said  how  grateful  he  was  to  Dr.  New- 
ton for  the  cure,  and  he  should  call  at  the  hospital  that  they  might  see  for  them- 
selves.    He  walked  away  from  the  house  without  assistance. 

32  New  Chiirch  Street,  W.  A.  E.  Wathen. 

I  have  seen  him  since,  and  his  cure  is  a  genuine  one. 


234  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

IN    THE    PROVI  NCES. 

Visit  to  Swindon.— Testimony  of  the  North  Wilts  Herald.— kdidne?,?,  of  Rev.  F.  R^ 
Young. — Large  Number  of  Cures. — Visits  to  Birmingham. — One  Hundred  Cures; — 
Visit  to  Maidstone. — Cases  Treated. — Testimony  of  Mr.  Thomas  Grant  in  Maidstone 
Telegraph. — Opposition  and  Public  Sympathy. — "  A  Miracle  and  a  Great  Cure." — 
Dr.  Newton  at  Halifax. — "  A  Great  Day." — Interesting  Incidents. — List  of  Cures. — 
At  Andover. — Enthusiasm  of  the  People. — Interesting  Cases. — Ai  Northampton.— 
Remarkable  Cases. — At  Kingston-on-Thames. — At  Nottingham. — Cure  of  Spinal 
Disease. — Cure  by  another  Healer,  who  received  the  Power  from  Dr.  Newton. — Testi- 
mony of  T.  C.  Davies,  in  Manchester  Examiner  and  Herald. — Dr.  Newton's  power 
something  more  than  Mesmerism. 

At  intervals  during  his  work  in  London,  Dr.  Newton  visited  a 
number  of  the  provincial  towns  and  cities  of  England,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  healing  the  sick  and  suffering  who  might  present  themselves. 
These  visits  were  usually  made  on  Sunday — a  day  when  the  labor- 
ing classes  were  at  leisure  to  avail  themselves  of  his  services — and 
he  was  in  most  cases  attended  by  Mr.  James  Burns,  editor  of  the 
Medium  and  Daybreak^  who  gave  instructive  lectures  to  the  people 
on  The  Healing  Power  and  other  cognate  subjects,  after  which  those 
suffering  from  any  disease  were  invited  to  come  forward  and  be 
healed. 

The  first  of  these  visits  was  made  to  Swindon,  the  home  of  Rev. 
F.  R.  Young,  who,  it  will  be  remembered,  visited  Dr.  Newton  in 
America,  in  1868,  and  was  cured  by  him  of  a  troublesome  disease. 
He  had  then  obtained  from  Dr.  N.  a  promise  to  visit  him  when  he 
came  to  England.  This  clergyman  placed  at  Dr.  Newton's  disposal 
the  Free  Christian  Church,  of  which  he  was  pastor,  and  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  occasion  are  thus  described  in  the  North  Wilts 
Herald,  of  that  place  : — 

DR.  NEWTON  AT  SWINDON. 

We  may  observe  that  Dr.  Newton  has  already  appeared  in  London,  and  has 
been  the  subject  of  several  attacks  in  that  very  peculiar  print,  the  Daily  Telegraph. 


THE    PROVINCES.  235 

*  *  *  He  has  been  assailed  in  Daily  Telegraph  Billingsgate  by  men  who 
have  not  taken  the  trouble  to  inform  themselves  as  to  the  facts.  For  downright 
ignorance  and  impudence,  commend  us  to  a  flippant  Cockney  writer.  Dr.  New- 
ton has  been  spoken  and  written  of  as  if  he  were  propounding  some  new  theory, 
or  was  the  first  person  since  the  days  of  the  Apostles  who  declared  that  by  faith 
and  prayer  the  Holy  Spirit  would  heal  human  diseases.  As  a  matter  of  fact 
these  claims  have  been  put  forward  at  various  times  in  the  Christian  era.  In  the 
early  Church,  Ignatius,  Polycarp,  Justin  Martyr,  and  others  might  be  named,  as 
well  as  Cyprian,  Augustine,  and  Paul  the  Hermit.  "  The  dreams  of  Huss  (to 
use  the  language  of  Dr.  Bushnell),  the  prophesyings  of  Luther  and  Fox,  and 
Archbishop  Usher,  the  ecstasies  of  Xavier,  with  innumerable.other  wonders,  and 
visitations  of  God,  in  the  saints  of  the  Church,  during  all  the  intervening  ages, 
bridge  the  gulf  between  us  and  the  ancient  times,  and  bring  us  to  a  question  of 
miracles  and  gifts  as  a  question  of  our  own  time."  Dr.  Bushnell  further  refers 
to  this  subject  in  his  interesting  and  able  work  "  Nature  and  the  Supernatural." 
He  says,  in  pages  324  and  325  :  "Descending  now  to  the  times  we  call  modern, 
the  times,  for  example,  subsequent  to  the  Reformation,  nothing  is  easier,  exactly 
contrary  to  the  very  common  impression,  than  to  show  that  the  same  kind  of 
prodigies  are  current  here,  in  the  last  three,  as  in  the  first  three  centuries  of  the 
Church.  Whoever  has  read  that  Christian  classic,  The  Scots  Worthies,  has 
followed  a  stream  of  prophecies,  and  healings,  and  visible  judgments,  and 
specific  answers  to  prayer,  and  discernment  of  spirits,  corresponding,  at  all  points, 
with  the  gifts  and  wonders  of  the  apostolic  age.  And  the  men  that  figure  in  these 
gifts  and  powers  are  the  great  names  of  the  heroic  age  of  religion  in  their  coun- 
try—  Wishart,  Knox,  Erskine,  Craig,  Davidson,  Simpson,  Welch,  Guthrie,  Blair, 
Welwood,  Cameron,  Cargill,  and  Peden.  And  it  is  a  curious  fact,  in  regard  to 
this  great  subject,  that,  while  we  believe  so  little  and  deny  so  much,  and  hold  so 
many  opposite  assumptions,  this  same  book  of  Howie,  that  chronicles  in  beauti- 
ful simplicity  more  gifts  and  wonders  than  all  of  Irving's,  is  published  by  one  of 
the  largest  and  most  conservative  bodies  of  Christians  in  our  country,  and  is 
read  by  thousands,  young  and  old,  with  eager  delight."  *  *  *  "At  a 
later  period,  on  the  repeal  of  the  edict  of  Nantz,  and  in  the  persecutions  that  fol- 
lowed, a  large  body  of  the  Protestant  or  Reformed  disciples,  called  Huguenots, 
hunted  by  their  pursuers,  fled  to  the  mountains  of  Cevennes.  Some  of  them  also 
escaped  to  England  and  other  Protestant  countries.  Among  these  unhappy  peo- 
ple the  miraculous  gifts  were  developed,  and  by  them  were  more  or  less  widely 
disseminated  abroad.  They  had  tongues  and  interpretations  of  tongues.  They 
had  healing  and  the  discerning  of  spirits.  They  prophesied  in  the  spirit.  In- 
telligent persons  went  out  from  Paris,  to  hear,  observe,  and  make  inquiry,  and 
these  people  were  much  discussed  as  '  Les  Trembleurs  des  Cevennes.'  In 
England  they  were  also  discussed  as  the  *  French  Prophets,'  and  the  fire  they 
kindled  in  England  caught  among  some  of  the  English  disciples,  and  burned  for 
many  years."  *  *  *  *  "  The  sect  of  friends,  from  George  Fox  down- 
ward, have  had  it  as  a  principle  to  expect  gifts,  revelations,  discernings  of 
spirits,  and  indeed  a  complete  divine  movement.  Thus  Fox,  over  and  above  his 
many  revelations,  wrought,  as  multitudes  believed,  works  of  healing  in  the  sick. 


236  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Take  the  following  references  from  the  Index  of  his  'Journal,'  as  affording,  in 
the  briefest  form,  a  conception  of  the  wonders  he  was  supposed,  and  supposed 
himself  to  have  wrought : — '  Miracles  wrought  by  the  power  of  God — the  lame 
made  whole — the  diseased  restored — a  distracted  woman  healed — a  great  man 
given  over  by  physicians  restored — speaks  to  a  sick  man  in  Maryland,  who  was 
raised  up  by  the  Lord's  power — prays  the  Lord  to  rebuke  J.  C.'s  infirmity,  and 
the  Lord  by  His  power  soon  gave  him  ease.'  " 

There  are  also  other  cases  more  modern,  the  Zouave  Jacob,  Prince  Hohenloe 
and  others.  The  Spiritual  Magazine  for  May,  1868,  contains  an  interesting 
chapter  entitled  "  Evidences  of  Spiritualism  in  modern  Works  of  History  and 
Literature." 

We  have  written  this  much  for  the  information  of  our  readers.  We  now  pro- 
ceed to  chronicle  Dr.  Newton's  visit  to  Swindon.  The  first  assembly  was  at  the 
Free  Christian  Church,  at  half-past  nine.  There  was  a  numerous  and  intelligent 
congregation,  the  building  being  filled  throughout  the  proceedings.  Dr.  Newton 
is  rather  below  the  medium  height,  and  inclined  to  be  corpulent.  He  has  a 
massive  head  and  well  developed  forehead  ;  his  features  certainly  wear  a  peculiar 
appearance,  and  give  tokens  of  his  being  a  man  of  powerful  will.  He  is  60  years 
of  age,  but  has  the  vigor  and  energy  of  25 ;  in  fact  he  stated  on  Sunday  that  he 
never  felt  tired  or  exhausted. 

The  Rev.  F.  R.  Young  introduced  Dr.  Newton  to  the  audience  in  an  appro- 
priate address,  of  which  we  give  the  following  outline.  Mr.  Young  said  that  the 
circumstances  under  which  they  were  met  were  altogether  so  peculiar,  and  to 
some  of  them  so  agitating,  that  he  had  thought  it  right  to  address  some  remarks 
to  them,  by  way  of  guiding  their  thoughts  and  giving  them  some  measure  of  quiet- 
ness of  mind.  In  asking  Dr.  Newton  to  visit  Swindon  and  heal  the  sick  by  the 
laying  on  of  hands,  he  had  not  the  most  remote  idea  of  providing  what  might  be 
called  a  sensational  entertainment,  for  if  there  were  one  person  in  this  world  who 
more  than  another  abhorred  the  introduction  of  the  sensational  into  places  of. 
worship  or  works  of  philanthropy,  that  person  was  himself.  If  a  fact  would  not 
tell  its  own  tale,  and  if  a  truth  could  not  recommend  itself  to  man's  acceptance  by 
its  own  intrinsic  evidence,  he  was  quite  willing  to  wait  for  the  time  when  the  fact 
and  the  truth  would  both  be  received,  as  assuredly  they  would  be  sooner  or  later. 
When  he  was  in  America  two  years  ago,  he  saw  on  every  side  more  than  enough 
to  convince  him  that  Dr.  Newton  possessed  a  peculiar  power  to  heal  disease  by 
the  laying  on  of  hands.  What  was  lie  to  do  ?  He  had  the  testimony  of  his  own 
senses  confirmed  by  the  words  of  many  others,  who  were  morally  incapable  of 
deceiving,  and  who  were  intellectually  capable  of  giving  testimony,  in  reference  to 
the  question  before  them.  When,  therefore,  he  himself  had  been  healed  by  Dr. 
Newton,  and  had  seen  that  gentleman  heal  many  others,  there  was  an  arrange- 
ment made  between  them  both,  that  whenever  Dr.  Newton  came  to  Europe  he 
should  visit  Swindon,  to  give  to  the  people  of  that  locality  the  benefit  he  so  freely 
distributed  in  his  own  country.  It  should  be  understood  that  Dr.  Newton  claimed 
no  inherent  power  to  do  healing  work,  and  that  he  arrogated  to  himself  no  virtue 
for  the  doing  of  it.  Like  all  the  rest  of  us  he  was  but  a  weak,  erring,  fallible 
creature  ;  but  God  who  distributed  His  gifts  according  to  the  dictates  of  His  own 


IN    THE    PROVINCES.  23/ 

Sovereign  Will,  had  been  pleased  to  endow  Dr.  Newton  with  the  special  gift  of 
healing,  and  if  any  present  knew  anything  of  the  history  of  the  world,  ^and 
especially  of  the  history  of  the  Christian  Church,  they  must  know  quite  well  that 
there  had  been,  here  and  there,  in  all  ages  and  among  all  peoples,  persons  to 
whom  the  Infinite  Father  had  been  pleased  to  give  this  special  gift.  It  was  true 
that  God  did  not  give  this  power  in  the  same  measure  to  every  person  whom  He 
thus  endowed,  but  there  was  the  power  after  the  measure  of  God's  own  will.  Mr. 
Young  then  said  that  he  himself  owed  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  Dr.  Newton  he  could 
never  hope  to  repay,  for  curing  him  in  a  few  minutes  of  a  disease  of  eleven  years' 
standing,  and  in  efforts  to  alleviate  which  he  (Mr.  Young)  had  spent,  first  and 
last,  hundreds  of  pounds.  Since  the  22nd  of  May,  186S,  it  was  well  known  to 
many  present  that,  physically  speaking,  he  (the  speaker)  had  been  a  new  man, 
"  old  things  had  passed  away,  behold  all  things  had  become  new."  He  had 
done  more  work,  physically  and  mentally,  during  the  past  two  years  than  through 
any  former  period  of  the  same  extent,  and  yet  he  was  now  an  utter  stranger  to 
what  might  be  called  the  sensation  of  weariness,  besides  which  he  had  lost  totally, 
and,  as  he  believed,  for  ever,  the  pain  with  which  he  was  formerly  afflicted.  He 
attributed  that  change  to  the  power  of  God  exerted  through  Dr.  Newton,  and  that 
power  the  Doctor  had  come  to  Swindon  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  to  bear  upon 
such  persons  as  might  offer  themselves  to  him  for  his  help.  Mr.  Young  con- 
cluded by  reading  the  third  chapter  of  the  Gospel  according  to  St.  Mark,  which 
he  considered  to  be  appropriate  to  the  present  occasion. 

Dr.  Newton  having  made  a  few  remarks,  stating  that  he  was  impelled  by  a 
divine  power,  and  not  from  his  own  mere  volition,  then  invited  afflicted  persons 
to  come  on  to  the  platform.  As  we  have  felt  it  our  duty  in  this  matter  to  give 
only  facts,  we  have  obtained  for  publication  a  copy  of  a  record  in  which  is  entered 
the  name,  address,  disease,  and  opinions  of  the  majority  of  persons  who  presented 
themselves  to  Dr.  Newton.  Whether  they  are  cured  ;  whether,  if  so,  the  cure  is 
permanent,  are  questions  we  cannot  answer.  We  simply  publish  the  document 
for  what  it  is  worth.  We  will  add  a  fact  or  two  for  which  we  can  vouch.  Thus, 
a  man  who  came  to  the  church  walking  with  a  crutch  and  stick,  one  of  his  legs 
being  suspended  in  a  sling  from  the  neck,  and  requiring  two  men  to  help  him  on 
to  the  platform  was  greatly  benefited.  We  saw  him  leave  the  church  walking 
only  with  a  stick,  a  young  man  bearing  the  crutch  aloft  in  the  rear  as  a  kind  of 
trophy.  This  person  lives  at  Corsham,  we  believe,  and  we  should  like  to  hear 
from  him  as  to  his  symptoms  and  present  state.  Then  a  deaf  boy,  after  treatment, 
heard  a  whisper  ;  a  young  man,  who  stammered,  was  able  to  speak  with  ease  ;  a 
respectable  tradesman  of  Swindon,  who  had  a  stiff  knee,  which  he  was  unable  to 
bend,  was  capable  of  kneeling  with  ease  after  treatment  by  Dr.  Newton.  In 
fact,  he  went  on  his  knee  on  retiring  to  his  seat,  at  the  ^request  of  friends  sitting 
near.  We  also  entered  into  conversation  with  a  gentleman  who  had  come  some 
distance  (from  Portsmouth  we  believe),  and  who  declared  that  he  had  been 
relieved  and  benefited  by  Dr.  Newton.  These  are  facts  which  came  under  our 
notice,  and  we  give  them  as  we  witnessed.  At  the  morning  meeting  the  congre- 
gation was  a  reverent  and  interested  one.  In  the  afternoon  the  place  was  crowded 
to  excess  (Dr.  Newton  having  stated  he  should  not  heal  in  the  evening),  and  the 
consequence  was  much  crowding.      *      *      * 


2Z^  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

We  ought  to  add  that  Dr.  Newton  did  not  or.ce  in  our  hearing  claim  to  be  able 
lo  "work  miracles  ;  "  therefore,  to  term  him  a  "  Jlodern  Miracle  Worker"  is  a 
misnomer.  He  more  than  once  said  he  had  a  magnetic  power,  which  by  divine 
aid  he  was  able  to  exercise  and  by  its  influence  affect  the  nervous  system  of  those 
he  cured,  adding  that  it  was  through  the  mind  he  worked.  This  -evives  the 
■whole  question  of  mesmerism  or  animal  magnetism  in  healing  disease,  but  we 
have  no  space  to  discuss  the  matter,  and  will  simply  add  that  we  are  aware  of  a 
qualified  medical  practitioner  in  Exeter,  who  announces  that  his  remedies  are 
really  mesmerism  and  galvanism.  It  ought  to  be  stated  that  Dr.  Newton  came 
to  Swindon  without  fee  or  reward  ;  that  he  refused  to  take  money  in  any  case, 
and  insisted  upon  paying  any  expenses  which  might  have  been  incurred  by  his 
visit.  Some  carte  de  visite  portraits  of  Dr.  Newton  were  offered  for  sale  at  the 
doors  of  the  church,  but  we  are  informed  the  matter  in  no  way  concerned  him. 

[Mr.  Jervis  furnished  a  list  of  loo  names  of  persons  either  cured  or  benefited 
by  Dr.  Newton  on  this  occasion,  which  are  omitted.] 

The  following  excerpts  from  the  Medium  and  Daybreak  and  the 
Spiritual  Magazine  give  some  idea  of  the  Healer's  work  in  other 
places.  The  dates,  unfortunately,  have  not  been  preserved,  and 
hence  the  arrangement  may  not  be  in  chronological  order  : 

DR.  NEWTON'S  VISIT  TO  BIRMINGHAM. 

On  Sunday  morning,  at  ten  o'clock,  the  principal  meeting  was  held  in  the 
Temperance  Hall,  and  it  will  be  long  remembered  by  those  present.  Some  600 
people  attended,  and  about  100  presented  themselves  for  the  Doctor  to  exercise 
his  powers  upon  them.  There  were  the  paralyzed,  the  lame,  blind,  deaf,  and 
sufferers  from  various  maladies  From  the  back  country  they  were  brought  in  a 
variety  of  vehicles,  and  the  unmistakable  signs  of  thankfulness  depicted  in  the 
countenances  of  many  who  were  cured  or  relieved,  it  made  one's  heart  glad  to 
see.  One  young  man  who  presented  himself  to  the  Doctor  came  in  with  a  stiff 
knee-joint  and  walked  with  much  difficulty.  The  Doctor  pulled  up  the  trousers, 
tore  off  the  elastic  and  told  him  to  put  it  into  his  pocket ;  he  then  exercised  the 
limb  and  told  him  to  walk  without  his  stick,  which  he  did,  to  the  astonishment  of 
the  audience,  who  were  vociferous  in  their  enthusiasm  at  the  result  of  the  Doc- 
tor's powers.  The  same  person  called  at  Mr.  Franklin's  shop  in  Suffolk  Street 
to  express  his  heartfelt  gratitude  to  the  Doctor  for  the  great  benefit  he  had  re- 
ceived at  his  hands,  but  the  Doctor  had  left  by  an  early  train  for  London. 

The  representatives  of  the  daily  papers  sat  in  the  enclosure,  and  had  full  lib- 
erty to  question  all  the  cases,  and  in  fact  did  so  in  many  instances. 

[A  list  of  over  one  hundred  cases  of  cures  is  appended  which  is  omitted,  on 
account  of  the  great  number  already  given. — Ed.] 


DR.  NEWTON  AGAIN  AT  BIRMINGHAM. 
A  correspondent  reports  that  "  on  Saturday  last,  Dr.  Newton,  accompanied 


IN    THE    PROVINCES.-  239 

by  Mr.  Burns,  fulfilled  the  promise  he  had  made  (to  re-visit  Birmingham).  A 
deputation  of  friends  met  them  on  their  arrival  at  the  station,  and  accompanied 
them  to  the  Waverly  Hotel,  a  quiet  retreat  from  the  bustle  of  the  centre  of  the 
town,  situate  in  the  Crescent.  No  sooner  had  the  Doctor  divested  himself  of  the 
dust  of  travel,  than  he  was  besieged  by  suppliants  for  his  healing  balm,  which  he 
administered  freely  without  stint  or  grudge." 

Mr.  Morris,  of  West  Bromwich,  was  driven  over  by  Mr.  Ward  in  his  carriage. 
*  *  *  Mr.  Morris  had  been  introduced  by  Mr.  Lones  to  Dr.  Newton  in  Lon- 
don some  months  ago.  At  that  time  he  was  a  helpless  and  hopeless  cripple  ;  his 
legs  were  atrophied  to  mere  spindles,  much  inflamed,  and  very  painful.  Dr.  New- 
ton enabled  him  to  walk  without  his  crutches,  removed  the  inflammation,  and  set 
him  on  the  road  to  recovery.  After  he  returned  home,  Mr.  Morris  again  re- 
sumed his  crutches  to  save  his  legs,  but  in  doing  so,  the  former  symptoms  gradu- 
ally returned,  so  that  he  walked  on  Saturday  with  much  difficulty,  aided  by  a  pair 
of  crutches.  After  being  manipulated  by  the  Doctor,  the  lame  man  walked  about 
the  room.  It  was  noticed  that  the  muscles  of  his  legs  had  grown  somewhat  since 
his  previous  treatment  in  London.  He  then  walked  downstairs  and  out  into  the 
streets,  and  afterwards  walked  to  the  Athenaeum  to  attend  the  tea  meeting.  He 
was  also  at  the  public  healing  on  Sunday,  and  walked  about  the  hall  with  much 
freedom  and  apparent  ease. 

While  Mr.  Morris  was  in  Dr.  Newton's  rooms  on  Saturday,  a  deputation  from 
the  Gazette  came  in  to  observe  for  themselves.  They  were  acquainted  with  these 
facts  from  the  mouth  of  the  person  interested,  and  the  reporter  ultimately  put 
himself  under  the  Doctor's  hands  for  a  lameness  of  the  knee,  the  result  of  rheu- 
matic fever  experienced  several  years  ago.  After  treatment  he  admitted  that  he 
was  benefited,  and  no  doubt  the  cure  has  progressed  since.  This  circumstance 
considerably  modified  th^  views  of  the  news-mongers,  and  prepared  them  to  re- 
ceive further  facts  somewhat  in  the  spirit  of  truth.     *    *    * 

Our  correspondent  continues : — "  The  tea  meeting  to  welcome  the  Doctor  was 
well  attended.  The  tables  were  handsomely  decorated  with  flowers,  no  over- 
crowding, but  a  thoroughly  social  and  agreeable  meeting,  appropriately  opened 
by  the  Doctor  shaking  hands  all  round. 

"Tea  over,  Mr.  J.  Burns,  of  London,  addressed  the  meeting  for  about  half  an 
hour  on  the  philosophy  of  the  Doctor's  operations,  &c.,  and  made  a  very  good 
impression.  The  Doctor  also  made  a  few  simple  and  affectionate  remarks  ex- 
planatory of  his  mission.  A  case  of  defective  sight  was  aftewards  operated  upon, 
and  the  spectacles  ordered  to  be  laid  aside  and  no  longer  used." 

[A  lecture  from  Mr.  Burns  followed,  at  a  later  hour,  but  no  further  cases  of 
healing  are  reported. — Ed.] 


AT  MAIDSTONE. 

The  following  cases  are  reported  as  having  been  treated  by  Dr.  Newton  at 
Maidstone  : 

Mark  Antony  Tvvort,  photographer,  age  41  ;  great  sufferer  from  indiges- 
tion for  six  years,  causing  a  dull  heavy  pain  about  the  heart.    Dr.  Newton  called 


240  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

it  heart  disease,  and  promised  to  cure  him  ;  but  for  seven  days  after  he  saw  the 
Doctor  he  was  much  worse,  when,  as  he  stated,  something  seemed  to  drop  or 
break  away  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  heart,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been 
better  than  for  years  past.  He  thinks  something  has  been  forming  internally  for 
some  years,  and  now  seems  to  have  been  gone  entirely.  He  appears  very  grate- 
ful, and  talks  of  writing  a  letter  of  thanks  to  Dr.  Newton. 

Mrs.  Martin,  Wharf  Lane,  is  grateful  for  benefit  received;  rheumatic  pains 
in  the  hips,  disturbing  her  rest.  Has  now  lost  all  pain  (except  a  slight  pain  in 
the  knee),  sleeps  well,  and  is  wonderfully  better. 

Samuel  Twiner  Smither,  80  Union  Street,  age  22;  deaf  eight  or  nine 
years.  Saw  his  mother,  who  states  he  can  hear  much  better  ;  as  a  proof,  she 
mentioned  that  in  the  night  he  was  much  alarmed  at  a  slight  noise  in  his  room, 
made  by  a  cat  playing  with  a  piece  of  newspaper. 

John  Dyer,  Mill  Lane,  aged  61 ;  great  sufferer  and  lame  from  rheumatics ; 
very  much  better,  walks  without  a  stick,  and  can  put  his  hand  up  to  his  head, 
which  he  has  not  been  able  to  do  for  a  long  time. 

William  Ayres,  Hart  Street,  age  43  ;  leg  was  broken  about  eight  years  ago, 
and  until  he  saw  Dr.  Newton  he  had  not  been  able  to  bend  it ;  he  can  do  so  now, 
and  put  his  foot  to  the  ground. 

Thomas  Simmonds,  builder,  age  59 ;  had  been  seriously  disabled  and  pained, 
four  years  and  a  half,  by  what  his  doctors  described  as  a  loose  piece  of  cartilage 
under  the  cap  of  the  knee,  causing  the  joint  to  be  frequently  upset  by  anything 
striking  the  inner  side  of  the  foot,  notwithstanding  that  he  always  wore  an  elas- 
tic bandage  which  he  dared  not  leave  off  for  an  instant.  He  had  consulted  sev- 
eral doctors,  who  tried  to  move  the  joint  various  ways,  and  a  serious  operation 
was  proposed,  but  he  was  advised  not  to  consent  to  it.  Dr.  Newton  pressed  the 
sides  of  the  knee-cap,  and  instantly  removed  the  impediment ;  he  ordered  the 
bandage  to  be  removed,  and  the  knee  has  remained  perfectly  sound  ever  since. 
This  important  cure  was  both  instantaneous  and  complete,  and  the  patient  is  most 
grateful. 

Mrs.  G ,  age  (>•]  ;  had  suffered  from  stiffness,  pain,  and  weakness  of  one 

knee,  which  for  several  years  had  been  gradually  getting  worse,  and  threatened 
to  become  quite  a  stiff  joint.  Dr.  Newton's  touch  caused  a  snapping  sound,  and 
instanly  restored  freedom  to  the  joint,  which  has  continued,  and  it  is  daily  gain- 
ing strength. 

Thomas  Capon,  St.  Peter's  Street,  age  68  ;  fell  from  a  ladder  three  years  ago, 
and  injured  his  left  leg,  which  he  could  only  move  by  help  of  his  hands.  When 
Dr.  Newton  touched  him  he  felt  something  give  way  under  the  knee,  which  he 
has  since  been  able  to  move  without  using  any  assistance,  and  he  is  decidedly 
better  and  stronger. 

W.  R.  Waters,  7  Charlton  Street,  New  Brompton,  Kent,  aged  29;  injury  to 
the  spine,  eighteen  months  since.  Writes  that  he  is  very  much  better  than  he 
ever  expected  to  be,  and  can  now  attend  to  his  business  all  day  without  being 
obliged  to  go  to  bed ;  indeed,  he  says,  "  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  what  the 
Doctor  told  me  is  true — '  You  are  well ;  you  are  cured.'  "  (Communicated  by 
Thomas  Grant,  Shirley  House,  Maidstone.) 


IN    THE    PROVINCES.  24 1 

Mrs.  Jury,  8  Carey  Street,  age  28;  weakness  and  swelling  in  left  knee,  of 
long  standing,  also  great  weakness  of  spine  or  lower  parts  of  back  since  her  first 
confinement  three  and  a  half  years  ago.  The  spinal  weakness  was  instantly  and 
permanently  cured,  but  the  knee  is  no  better. 

Mrs.  Rowe,  61  Week  Street,  age  39 ;  weakness  of  ankles,  knees,  and  side. 
Says  she  is  much  better. 

Esther  King,  Tonbridge  Road;  loss  of  voice,  about  four  years — has  been 
in  the  hospital  without  benefit.  Was  made  to  speak  loud,  though  somewhat  in- 
distinctly.    Feels  that  the  Doctor  has  removed  some  impediment  in  her  throat. 

Adam  Russell,  Bridge  Tavern,  age  39 ;  bad  leg,  eighteen  months,  with  dis- 
charges.    Can  stand  now;  could  not  before. 

James  Ayers,  i  Bower  Nursery  Road,  age  30 ;  rheumatic  gout,  five  to  ten 
years.  Called  to  say  his  leg  is  much  stronger,  less  pain,  can  walk  better,  and 
feels  that  the  treatment  has  been  of  great  benefit  to  him. 

Mrs.  Brown,  3  Hart  Street,  brought  a  child  three  years  old,  with  weakness 
in  legs  ;  the  bones  appeared  soft  and  shrunken.  The  Doctor  said  recovery  must 
be  gradual,  and  the  child  is  now  decidedly  stronger  Can  use  its  legs  more  than 
before. 

Mr,  Dutnall,  53  Upper  Fant  Road;  his  daughter,  age  about  12,  is  subject  to 
fits.     Has  had  none  since  seeing  the  Doctor — five  weeks. 

Caroline  Simmons,  23  Mote  Road,  age  47  ;  skin  disease  on  neck  and  face. 
Much  benefited,  and  continues  to  improve. 

Mrs.  Hodges,  Queen  Street,  East  Farleigh,  age  45 ;  very  deaf  from  a  girl 
and  nearly  blind  ;  also  scrofula.  Writes  a  most  grateful  letter.  States  she  could 
see  but  very  little,  even  with  spectacles,  for  some  years,  but  can  now  see  to 
thread  a  small  needle,  and  to  sew  without  spectacles.  Hears  a  little  better,  and 
her  left  arm  is  much  better  than  for  thirty-six  years  past. 

(Cases  communicated  by  C.  T.  Hook,  Esq.,  Snodland.) 

Alice  Kemp,  Snodland,  age  17  ;  swelling  of  knee — scrofulous  constitution. 
Has  used  a  crutch  the  last  eighteen  months.  Stronger  and  much  improved. 
Can  now  walk  about  indoors  without  her  crutch. 

—  Adams,  Snodland  ;  weak  eyes.  Sight  greatly  improved,  but  weakness  of 
the  lids  remains. 

Mr.  Hook's  servant ;  sprained  ankle  of  rather  long  standing.  Had  to  wear 
elastic  stocking  and  use  lotion.     Cure  instantaneous  and  complete. 

In  a  communication  to  The  Maidstone  Telegraphy  Mr.  Thomas  Grant  re- 
marks : — 

"  I  had  next  day  an  opportunity  of  seeing  Dr.  Newton  make  several  cures  in 
Mr.  Burns's  house.  A  lame  woman  was  quickly  made  to  walk,  and  left  apparently 
sound.  A  stammering  boy  was  made  to  speak  plainly  after  the  second  treat- 
ment. His  mother  told  me  the  boy  had  a  lump  in  his  throat,  which  immediately 
disappeared  the  first  time  when  the  cure  was  nearly  completed. 

"  The  doctor  knows  intuitively  what  ails  his  patients,  and  seldom  needs  to  be 
told ;  as  a  rule,  it  is  best  to  say  nothing,  but  earnestly  desire  to  receive  the  re- 
storative  influence,  extending  towards  the   operator  that  love   and  sympathy 

16 


242  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

which  his  holy  and  disinterested  mission  entitles  him  to.  I  observed  that 
instantaneous  cures  ate  often  produced  by  a  sharp  operation  followed  by  imme- 
diate action,  thus  :  a  paralyzed  person  is  told  briskly,  '  You  are  well !  rise 
quickly !  up !  up  !  walk !  run ! '  and  the  success  depends  greatly  upon  the  force 
of  the  impression  upon  the  mind,  which  is  the  test  of  faith.  Many  rise  when 
thus  called  upon  and  find  themselves  really  cured  ;  others  hesitate,  and  fail.  In  the 
latter  cases  lookers-on  often  say,  *  See,  he  is  an  imposter  ;  for  he  said  the  poor 
man  was  cured,  and  he  as  impotent  as  ever.'  They  cannot  comprehend  that  his 
assertion  was  merely  his  modus  operandi,  to  test  the  patients'  faith  or  receptivity.'* 
"  Dr.  Newton's  very  pronounced  individuality  is  a  prime  condition  whereby 
he  is  a  healer;  and  this  mental  influence  is  one  of  the  means  used  by  him  in 
effecting  his  cures.  Some  misunderstand  this  law,  and  consider  that  Dr.  New- 
ton misleads  them  when  he  affirms  to  his  patients,  '  You  are  well,'  when  they  are 
not  v/ell.  This  phrase  is  the  audible  expression  of  the  feeling  which  must  pos- 
sess the  Doctor's  mind  in  order  that  he  may  affect  his  patient.  *  *  *  Hence  Dr. 
Newton  may  oftentimes  be  correct  when  he  says  '  You  are  cured,'  and  at  other 
times  it  may  be  merely  the  expression  of  the  desire  which  is  operating  within  his 
own  mind.  These  are  questions  of  the  highest  importance,  and  I  hope  other 
writers  will  give  their  views  on  them." 

DR.  NEWTON'S  VISIT  TO  MAIDSTONE. 

The  disinterested  intentions  and  good  acts  of  Dr.  Newton  and  Mr.  Grant 
were  so  apparent  as  to  stir  up  the  spleen  of  the  local  town  missionary,  who  wrote 
a  letter  which  appeared  in  the  Maidstone  Telegraph  of  August  13,  condemning 
in  the  most  impudent  and  harsh  manner  the  act  of  "  healing  by  laying  on  of 
hands."  He  was  ably  replied  to  by  three  writers  in  the  following  issue  of  that 
paper,  from  which  it  appears  that  public  sympathy  is  much  more  with  Dr.  New- 
ton than  the  unfortunate  town  missionary,  who  is  the  butt  of  much  opprobrium, 
which  is  given  in  such  a  form  as  to  indicate  that  it  is  well  merited.  Mr.  N. 
Large  declares  that  "  many  of  the  patients  have  been  benefited  and  are  still  pro- 
gressing." 


"A  MIRACLE  AND  A  GREAT  CURE." 

Mr.  Large  has  also  forwarded  us  the  following  letter  from  James  Armstrong : 
Sir, — In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  21st,  I  have  been  suffering  from  chronic 
rheumatism  of  the  joints  and  loss  of  power.  I  went  to  Dr.  Newton  on  the  1 5th 
or  1 6th  of  May ;  I  was  on  crutches  at  the  time.  I  saw  the  Doctor,  and  I  cer- 
tainly walked  away  for  some  distance  the  first  day,  and  I  gradually  left  off  the 
crutches,  and  in  three  weeks  I  left  them  off  altogether.  It  is  now  seven  weeks 
since  I  made  any  use  of  them  whatever.  It  is  now  two  years  in  the  month  of 
August  since  I  have  done  one  day's  work.  I  must  -say  that  I  received  a  great 
benefit  from  Dr.  Newton.  My  doctor  calls  it  a  miracle  and  a  great  cure.  I 
was  nearly  three  hours  off  my  crutches  the  first  day  that  I  saw  the  Doctor.     I 


IN    THE    PROVINCES.  243 

am  stopping  at  this  institution  to  gain  some  strength,     I  came  here  for  a  month 
for  the  sea  air  and  change. — I  remain  yours  respectfully, 

James  Armstrong. 
All  Saints  Cotivalescent  Institution^  Eastbourne,  July  25,  1870. 


DR.  NEWTON  AT  HALIFAX. 

{From  a  Correspondent.) 

Dr.  Newton  had  a  warm  reception  on  his  late  visit  to  us.  On  Saturday 
evening  last  an  eager  throng  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  evening  express  from 
London,  due  at  10.35.  Their  patience  was  rewarded,  for  in  due  course  the  train 
came  into  the  station  laden  with  the  object  of  their  expectations.  The  large 
party,  headed  by  Mr.  Ambler,  which  occupied  the  platform,  gave  the  Doctor 
and  his  companion,  Mr.  Burns,  a  hearty  Yorkshire  welcome,  which  was  repeated 
by  the  crowd  outside  the  station,  and  a  long  procession  followed  the  vehicle  up 
to  the  hotel.  The  committee  determined  that  as  much  good  should  result  from 
the  Doctor's  visit  as  possible  ;  so  tickets  of  admission  had  been  issued,  and  none 
were  admitted  but  those  who  possessed  them.  This  kept  the  audience  select, 
and  excluded  disaffected  persons.  As  early  as  nine  o'clock,  the  body  of  the  hall 
was  well  occupied,  and  the  orchestra  crowded  with  the  most  active  supporters  of 
the  spiritual  movement.  Dr.  Newton  was  present  considerably  before  the  hour 
advertised,  and  after  a  hymn  had  been  sung  he  commenced  to  address  the  multi- 
tude much  to  their  delight  and  edification.  He  observed  that  he  had  rarely 
before  seen  such  a  powerful  and  harmonious  influence  ;  and  his  words  seemed  to 
increase  it  As  the  Doctor  threw  out  his  hands  and  imparted  repeated  shocks, 
many  were  visibly  affected  thereby.  Having  finished  his  remarks,  the  Doctor 
descended  to  the  space  around  which  the  sick  were  congregated  in  the  middle 
of  the  hall,  and  commenced  his  work.  The  Doctor's  first  process  was  to  impart 
the  healing  power  to  a  number  of  these,  and  I  heard  that  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day  they  had  exercised  it  most  successfully.  A  good  deal  of  time  was 
wasted  in  examining  and  treating  incurable  cases.  A  number  were  brought 
whose  eyes  were  completely  gone,  and  it  would  have  been  as  impossible  to 
restore  their  sight  as  it  would  be  to  cause  a  new  limb  to  grow  from  the  old  stump. 
Such  misapplication  of  the  power  always  interferes  with  its  successful  action,  as 
I  heard  it  explained  ;  but  it  seems  hard  to  keep  any  away,  especially  as  they 
may  receive  benefit  in  some  form.  During  the  morning,  some  excellent  cures 
were  performed ;  but  I  shall  not  detail  them  at  present,  as  I  hope  to  be  able  to 
communicate  to  you  the  general  results  soon.  Mr.  Longbottom  took  down  a 
great  number  of  names,  and  our  friends  contemplate  visiting  them,  and  learning 
what  effect  the  Doctor's  treatment  had  on  them.  One  case  was  very  marked. 
A  poor  old  man  was  brought  in  a  feeble  state,  and,  from  the  heat,  excitement, 
fatigue,  or  all  combined,  was  placed  before  the  Doctor  in  a  dying  state.  His 
eyes  were  fixed  in  his  head,  his  jaws  fell,  and  he  was  getting  quite  cold.  The 
Doctor  attended  to  him  vigorously,  the  efforts  used  were  successful,  and  the  old 
man  got  up  and  walked  away,  filled  with  gratitude. 


244  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Shortly  after  twelve  o'clock,  the  Doctor  gave  over  till  the  afternoon,  and  the 
large  hall  of  the  Mechanics'  Institution,  in  which  the  healing  took  place,  was 
turned  into  a  dining-room,  as  many  who  attended  had  come  from  villages  round- 
some  great  distances  ;  others  had  come  from  Selby,  on  the  east ;  Manchester, 
on  the  west;  Shelly,  on  the  south ;  and  Keighley,  on  the  north:  so  that  it  w^as  a 
general  gathering  of  people  from  all  the  districts  around. 

By  two  o'clock  the  hall  was  crowded  to  excess  in  every  part,  as  on  this  occa- 
sion the  gallery  was  filled,  and  the  healing  went  on  for  two  hours,  as  In  the 
morning.  The  efforts  used  by  the  Doctor  astonished  all  who  beheld  him  at 
work.  When  he  had  done,  the  perspiration  saturated  his  clothing,  even  to  the 
outside  of  his  coat.  I  placed  my  hand  on  his  back,  and  it  was  quite  wet,  and  a 
friend  who  visited  his  room  in  the  evening  saw  two  shirts  hanging  to  dry,  stained 
with  perspiration  all  over.  He  operated  on  no  less  than  500  or  600  during 
the  day. 

In  the  evening,  a  public  meeting  was  held  in  the  same  hall,  at  which  a  sermon 
was  preached  by  our  old  friend  Mr.  James  Burns,  of  London.  It  was  a  noble 
audience,  as  there  would  be  quite  1200  people  present;  and  it  was  a  noble 
address,  well  worthy  of  the  occasion.  It  seemed  to  cause  the  speaker  no 
trouble,  but  to  his  hearers  it  was  the  means  of  useful  instruction  and  deep  grati- 
fication. Dr.  Newton  dismissed  the  audience  with  his  benediction,  and  so 
terminated  a  great  day. 

On  Monday  morning  the  hotel  at  which  Dr.  Newton  stopped,  adjoining  the 
hall,  was  besieged  by  a  throng  of  sick  and  disabled  in  various  ways,  but  the 
landlord  did  not  relish  the  idea  of  such  a  motley  throng  invading  his  highly- 
respectable  and  well-kept  premises.  Application  was  made  to  the  authorities 
of  the  Mechanics'  Hall,  but  they  denied  the  use  of  the  building  for  the  purpose 
of  healing  the  sick.  Mr.  Ambler  led  the  way  to  the  little  hall  at  the  Stanary, 
and  there  Dr.  Newton  treated  a  large  number  of  people. 

I  must  mention  one  very  interesting  circumstance.  Mrs.  Sagar,  of  Bradford, 
had  sustained  a  severe  illness,  which  had  deprived  her  of  memory  for  a  number 
of  weeks.  She  thought  that  the  lady  who  attended  to  her  was  her  mother.  She 
did  not  know  her  own  husband,  and  persistently  refused  to  occupy  the  same  bed 
with  him.  In  this  state  she  visited  Dr.  Newton  at  the  Stanary  on  Monday,  and 
as  soon  as  she  received  his  aid,  all  her  memory  returned  to  her,  and  she  was 
relieved  of  this  very  distressing  and  unusual  aflliction.  Mrs.  Sagar  is  a  very 
good  seer,  and  she  looked  on  the  scene  with  great  delight,  observing  the  spirits 
aiding  Dr.  Newton  in  his  work.  She  said  she  could  perceive  the  Doctor  stand- 
ing spiritually  with  his  feet  as  high  as  his  physical  head.  Over  him  stood  a 
spiritual  personage  whom  she  described  as  Jesus,  but  so  bright  that  she  could 
scarcely  look  at  Plim.  As  the  Doctor  treated  his  patient  this  bright  spirit 
dropped  sparkling  objects  like  stars,  which  descended  upon  the  person  receiving 
the  healing  influence.  The  Doctor  bestowed  the  healing  power  on  Mrs.  Scho- 
field,  of  Manchester,  on  Mr.  Ambler,  and  upon  others  ;  and  Mrs.  Sagar  seemed  to 
be  specially  enraptured  with  the  spiritual  part  of  the  process.  She  could  see  a 
number  of  spirits  attending  the  bright  spirit  referred  to  before,  and  a  group  of 
little  cherubs  dancing  round  the  scene. 


IN    THE    PROVINCES.  '24$ 

During  the  afternoon  the  hotel  was  again  mobbed  by  an  expectant  crowd, 
who  were  anxious  to  be  touched  by  the  great  healer,  but  as  there  was  no  oppor- 
tunity for  him  to  do  so,  he  left  with  the  evening  train  for  London,  a  large  pro- 
cession escorting  him  to  the  railway  station. 

In  the  evening,  a  lecture  on  the  scientific  consideration  of  spiritualism  was 
given  in  the  Mechanics*  Hall,  by  Mr.  Burns,  to  a  very  attentive  audience  ;  Mr. 
Ambler  in  the  chair.  At  the  close,  William  Bedford,  of  Salterhebble,  near 
Halifax,  publicly  testified  as  to  the  advantages  conferred  on  him  by  Dr. 
Newton. 


CURES  AT  HALIFAX. 

{ To  the  Editor  of  the  Medium  and  Daybreak^ 

I  have  not  had  time  to  get  more  than  the  below  for  this  week,  but  will  send 
you  more  next. 

John  Longbottom. 
Sowerby  Bridge,  near  Halifax. 

Mary  Helen  Broomhead,  6  Pearson  Street,  Halifax;  weakness  in  the  knees, 
and  general  weakness ;  since  she  visited  Dr.  Newton  she  has  been  a  great  deal 
better.  She  has  not  been  able  to  walk  so  well  for  upwards  of  four  years  as  she 
can  at  present. 

John  Ellis,  Rang  Bank,  Halifax  ;  rheumatics  ;  has  gradually  improved  ever 
since  the  operation. 

Hannah  Tomlinson,  Horton  Bank  Bottom,  near  Bradford ;  watery  eyes ; 
very  bad  for  three  or  four  years  ;  they  are  now  much  better  and  gradually  im- 
proving. 

James  Blackburn,  Siddle,  near  Halifax  ;  blind  of  one  eye  ;  his  neighbors 
told  me  that  he  can  now  see  to  read  large  print  with  the  same  eye  that  was 
blind. 

Mary  Walker,  Saw-wood  Green,  Stainland,  near  Halifax;  pain  in  the 
back,  and  noise  in  the  head  ;  quite  well. 

David  Binns,  Pellon,  Halifax;  consumption;  he  is  very  much  better,  and 
continues  to  improve. 

Mr.  Blackhurn's  child,  Union  Street,  Halifax;  was  deaf;  made  to  hear 
by  the  touch  ot  Dr.  Newton,  and  continues  to  hear. 

William  Bedford,  Bottoms,  Salterhebble,  Halifax ;  rheumatics  nine  years 
and  ten  months,  as  previously  reported ,  continues  to  walk  without  his  crutch ;  he 
has  had  no  relapse  whatever  ;  he  is  very  thankful  that  he  can  walk  so  well,  for 
he  had  given  up  all  hope  of  ever  walking  again. 

William  Longbottom,  Ovenden  Wood,  near  Halifax;  rheumatics,  or 
sciatica  in  the  hip.  I  saw  him  eight  days  after  the  operation,  and  his  pains  had 
not  returned  up  to  then  ;  he  does  not  remember  being  free  from  pain  for  one 
day  for  the  last  three  years. 


246  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

DR.  NEWTON  AT  ANDOVER. 

Sixty-seven  miles  from  London,  on  the  South-Western  Railway,  in  a  sweet 
valley  amongst  the  chalk  hills,  stands  the  clean  and  picturesque  town  of  Andover, 
numbering  some  6000  inhabitants.  The  Doctor  went  down  on  Saturday  evening 
last,  accompanied  by  Nicholas  Kilburn,  jun.,  Esq.,  of  Bishop  Auckland,  and  Mr. 
James  Burns,  of  the  Progressive  Library,  who  was  just  in  time  to  address  the 
expectant  meeting  which  awaited  his  arrival  in  the  Temperance  Hall.  The 
lecture  was  plain  and  intelligible,  and  the  cordial  manner  of  the  lecturer  carried 
his  audience  along  with  him  to  the  last.  Dr.  Newton  was  received  with  a  storm 
of  applause,  and  spoke  a  few  suitable  words.  He  then  treated  a  poor  woman 
suffering  from  defective  vision,  and  she  declared  herself  benefited. 

Then  the  enthusiasm  of  the  audience  knew  no  bounds,  and  they  went  home 
much  satisfied  with  their  evening's  entertainment.  On  Sunday  morning  at 
10.30  Dr.  Newton  found  the  hall  literally  packed.  After  a  hymn,  he  gave  one 
of  the  best  speeches  we  have  heard  him  make.  His  remarks  embraced  the 
whole  sphere  of  religious  belief,  and  it  had  great  weight  with  his  audience  ;  then 
the  treatment  commenced,  and  was  highly  successful.  We  hope  to  give  the 
facts  at  another  time.  The  company  was  harmonious,  the  influence  good,  and 
the  results  satisfactory.  It  was  curious  to  observe  that  a  number  of  cases  of  the 
same  disease  came  in  succession.  It  would  be  heart  disease  for  a  few  times, 
then  stammering,  swollen  glands,  deafness,  or  blindness.  Many  were  benefited, 
and  others  restored  at  once.  Some  cases  of  defective  hearing  received  marked 
improvement,  so  much  so  that  they  could  hear  a  low  whisper. 

An  old  gentleman  who  wore  a  wooden  leg  came  forward  to  have  his  ears 
treated.  The  Doctor  asked  him  if  he  did  not  feel  a  peculiar  numbness  and 
uncomfortable  feeling  in  the  stump,  extending  into  the  space  where  the  ampu- 
tated limb  had  been.  The  gentleman  said,  "Yes,  I  do."  "Then,"  said  Dr. 
Newton,  "  I  will  remove  that  feeling,  and  make  you  feel  as  if  you  could  move 
your  toes,  though  you  have  no  toes."  Having  received  an  operation  from  Dr. 
Newton,  the  gentleman  said  he  felt  much  better  in  that  portion  of  the  limb 
which  remained,  and  that  he  experienced  a  power  as  if  he  could  bend  his  foot 
and  move  his  toes.  Dr.  Newton  explained  that  this  was  a  sensation  arising 
from  the  spiritual  leg,  which  could  not  be  cut  off,  but  the  amputation  had  inter- 
fered with  the  flow  of  the  spiritual  principle  into  the  spiritual  leg  and  foot,  and 
thus  the  uncomfortable  and  numb  feeling  which  Dr.  Newton  had  removed  by 
his  healing  power.  We  understand  that  the  Doctor  has  had  a  number  of  such 
cases  in  his  experience,  and  he  holds  that  it  goes  to  prove  the  existence  of  the 
spiritual  body. 

In  the  afternoon  an  entirely  new  congregation  met  the  Doctor,  as  the  tickets 
for  the  two  services  had  been  given  to  different  people.  These  new  comers 
were  disposed  to  be  rude  and  boisterous,  like  the  Paddington  Lunarites,  and  Dr. 
Newton  operated  with  defective  power  and  difficulty.  Nothing  could  so  clearly 
prove  Dr.  Newton's  mediumship  as  his  great  susceptibility  to  conditions, 
which  have  a  very  distinct  effect  on  the  healing  power  and  his  comfort  in  exer- 
cising it.     It  was   considered  expedient  to  suspend  treatment  and  give  some 


IN    THE    PKOVINCES.  24/ 

instruction  to  the  audience.  J.  Burns  therefore  read  the  manifesto  of  Dr.  Burns, 
from  No.  14  of  The  Medium  ;  then  Dr.  Newton's  cures  at  Dr.  Burns' 
chapel,  from  last  Medium  ;  and  before  that  time  quiet  and  deep  attention 
had  been  established.  The  speaker  then  proceeded  to  give  a  telling  address, 
which  brought  the  audience  into  full  harmony  with  the  objects  of  the  meeting, 
and  Dr.  Newton  declared  that  his  power  was  equal  to  almost  any  demand  that 
might  be  made  upon  it.  He  then  treated  all  who  came  forward  ;  no  applications 
were  left  unattended  to,  either  in  the  morning  or  afternoon. 

In  the  evening  the  Temperance  Hall  was  crammed  with  a  highly  respectable 
and  attentive  audience,  and  J.  Burns  delivered  his  address  on  the  "  Healing 
Power"  with  great  effect,  and  to  the  evident  satisfaction  of  his  hearers. 

We  would  be  glad  to  add  copious  notes  to  these  cases  if  space  permitted. 
We  cannot  refrain  from  noticing  the  case  of  a  young  lady  deaf  and  dumb  since 
she  was  two  and  a  half  years  old.  She  was  brought  before  Dr.  Newton  at  the 
Temperance  Hall,  but  he  pronounced  her  incurable.  She  was,  however,  taken 
to  his  rooms  in  the  afternoon,  and  after  much  care  and  labor  she  was  made  to 
hear  distinctly ;  but  it  was  difficult  to  realize  the  fact,  as  she  did  not  understand 
the  import  of  words  when  she  heard  them;  and  for  the  same  reason  she  could 
not  make  any  reply.  The  ears  were,  however,  very  sensitive,  for  when  she  was 
spoken  to  loudly  she  shrank  as  if  the  effect  were  painful,  and  she  could  distinctly 
hear  noises  made  by  rapping  on  the  fire-shovel.  We  shall  be  glad  to  hear  how 
this  interesting  case  progresses.  Another  noteworthy  case  was  that  of  Mr. 
Grew,  the  landlord  of  the  Clarenden  Hotel.  He  was  brought  on  Saturday 
totally  blind  ;  he  could  only  see  a  kind  of  mist,  but  could  not  discern  any  object. 
He  did  not  seem  to  be  benefited  on  Saturday,  but  he  came  again  on  Sunday 
afternoon,  when  special  attention  was  paid  to  him,  which  resulted  in  his  being 
able  to  distinguish  the  fingers  of  his  hand,  and  the  shape  of  a  small  white  book 
that  was  held  before  him.  A  gentleman  was  treated  at  the  Temperance  Hall 
whose  right  arm  was  shrunk  and  paralyzed.  He  had  not  been  able  to  put  his 
hand  to  his  mouth  for  years.  After  treatment  he  raised  the  dwarfed  hand  to  his 
mouth  and  kissed  it  with  fervor.  A  number  of  cases  were  cured  instantly,  and 
a  greater  proportion  would  become  so  if  the  Doctor's  directions  were  carried 
out. 

The  following  cases  have  been  authenticated  : — 

Mrs.  Chevers,  Penton,  neuralgia  of  long  standing — cured  ;  no  return  of  the 
pain,  which  completely  left  her  at  the  time  of  treatment.  Mr.  Benham,  Wild- 
hern,  pains  in  the  head — cured.  Master  Tull,  Andover,  stammering — cured. 
Master  Povey,  Andover,  deafness — better.  Miss  Brooks,  Penton,  deafness — 
cured. 

DOCTOR  NEWTON  AT  NORTHAMPTON. 

The  people  of  this  town  had  full  satisfaction  in  the  events  of  last  Sunday. 
By  ten  o'clock,  patients  and  on-lookers  began  to  arrive  at  the  Temperance  Hall, 
where  the  healing  took  place.     As  the  Doctor  went  up  the  court  he  encountered 


248  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

an  old  man,  very  lame,  and  walking  with  difficulty  on  two  crutches.  The  cripple 
received  treatment  there  and  then  in  the  open  air,  and  went  away  witli  his 
crutches  on  his  shoulder.  An  old  lady  was  next  brought  up  in  a  Bath  chair. 
One  of  her  legs  was  much  contracted,  and  she  could  not  walk.  Dr.  Newton 
operated  on  her,  and  she  was  soon  walking  round  the  enclosure.  Ultimatel)-,  she 
went  up  into  the  hall.  A  little  lame  girl  from  Higham  Ferrers,  who  had  made 
the  pilgrimage  of  sixteen  miles  on  the  previous  Sunday,  again  attended.  She 
received  considerable  benefit,  and,  if  the  instructions  given  by  the  Doctor  are 
followed  up,  no  doubt  she  will  be  entirely  cured. 

The  scene  in  the  hall  was  one  of  respectful  eagerness.  All  were  anxious  to 
see  what  went  on,  but  there  was  no  interruption  or  unseemly  conduct.  A  strong 
body  of  sympathizers,  including  several  mediums,  surrounded  the  space  where 
the  Doctor  operated.  The  patients  were  led  forward  as  they  were  required,  and 
many  departed  very  much  benefited.  We  have  never  seen  the  Doctor  in 
greater  power,  or  witnessed  more  positive  effects  proceeding  from  his  treatment. 
There  was  a  great  number  of  deaf  cases.  One  lady  came  forward  and  said, 
"  You  need  not  speak  to  me  ;  I  am  deaf."  In  a  minute  she  was  listening  to 
ordinary  conversation  with  great  ease.  A  few  such  cases  were  incurable,  whilst 
others  heard  the  lowest  whisper.  The  editor  of  the  Advertiser  and  the  reporter 
of  the  Herald  were  within  the  enclosure,  taking  notes,  and,  if  they  are  disposed 
to  tell  the  truth,  they  can  testify  to  a  number  of  such  cases.  Several  remarkable 
cases  of  lameness  were  most  successfully  dealt  with.  One  young  man  went  away 
with  his  crutch  over  his  shoulder  ;  another,  from  Rushden,  was  cured  of  stam- 
mering ;  a  lady  was  successfully  treated  for  loss  of  voice  ;  and  various  tumors 
were  dispersed  from  the  throats  of  others.  A  little  girl  was  so  contorted  that 
she  had  to  walk  on  two  feet  and  one  hand.  After  a  minute's  painless  treatment, 
she  was  enabled  to  walk  on  her  feet  alone,  but  considerably  bent.  The  Doctor 
gave  directions  for  her  thorough  restoration.  We  have  no  notes  of  the  general 
course  of  the  day's  proceedings,  but  the  friends  there  have  taken  full  particulars 
of  many  cases,  which  we  shall  offer  when  they  have  been  thoroughly  investi- 
gated. The  influence  produced  upon  the  spectators  was  profound ; — some  came 
greatly  doubting,  but  went  away  with  their  opinions  very  much  changed. 

Dr.  Newton  gave  an  address  at  the  close  of  his  healing,  which  recommended 
him  warmly  to  the  affections  and  judgment  of  all  present.  We  never  heard  him 
speak  better.  It  \vas  from  the  heart  to  the  heart,  and  was  accepted  in  the  kindly 
and  touching  spirit  in  which  it  was  uttered.  The  audience  seemed  startled  by 
what  they  had  seen  and  heard  that  morning,  and  dispersed  in  that  state  of  won- 
derment and  absentness  of  mind  which  characterizes  those  who  are  thoroughly 
puzzled  and  driven  away  from  their  usual  moorings. 

The  same  journal,  of  a  later  date,  says : 

From  Northampton  the  following  letter  has  been  received  : — 

The  friends  at  Northampton  desire  to  express  their  sincere  thanks  to  Dr. 
Newton,  who  came  to  do  good,  not  even  accepting  his  travelling  expenses. 
These  are  all  the  cases  we  have  been  able  to  collect  at  present  j  we  will  forward 


THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  249 

you  more  as  they  come  to  hand.     Many  are  much  better,  but  would   not  have  it 
mentioned  on  any  account. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  Committee, 

Wm.  White,  Far  Catton. 
J.  C.  Cheshire. 
44  Lawrence  Street^  Northampton,  September  28,  1870. 

William  White,  Far  Catton ;  rheumatics ;  cured. 

Harriet  Clark,  Henley  Street,  Far  Catton ;  lost  the  use  of  two  fingers  34 
years ;  cured. 

John  Pinkhard,  Far  Catton ;  nervous  debility  and  defective  sight;  cured. 

John  Draper,  James's  End;  heart  disease ;  better. 

Elijah  Webb,  Cromwell  Street  ;  enlarged  elbow;  much  better. 

Mrs.  Robinson,  Arundel  Street;  walked  with  stick  three  years;  has  not 
required  it  since  the  Doctor's  treatment. 

James  Sutton,  Old  Wharf  Yard,  Bridge  Street,  had  been  obliged  to  use 
crutches  for  four  years ;  carried  his  crutches  away  and  has  not  used  them  since. 
He  desires  to  express  his  hearty  thanks  to  the  Doctor.  He  still  uses  a  stick, 
because  some  time  ago  he  had  some  bone  taken  out  of  the  knee,  which  left  one 
leg  shorter  than  the  other.  This  was  the  man  tliat  was  cured  in  the  yard — Dr. 
Newton's  first  case.  He  could  scarcely  stand  without  his  crutches  when  Dr. 
Newton  treated  him. 

DR.  NEWTON  AT  KINGSTON-ON-THAMES. 

The  Temperance  Lyceum  in  Brick  Lane  was  the  scene  of  a  very  successful 
public  healing  season  on  Sunday  morning  last.  The  audience  was  select  and  re- 
spectful, and  the  patients  more  than  ordinarily  sympathetic.  Some  very  remark- 
able cures  were  made,  which  we  understand  will  be  reported  in  the  Surrey  Comet 
of  this  week.  Dr.  Newton  bestowed  the  healing  power  on  a  few  who  had  applied 
for  it,  and  his  remarks  during  the  morning  were  closely  to  the  point  and  impressed 
his  audience  very  favorably. 

AT  NOTTINGHAM. 

J.  M.  Peebles,  in  a  letter  to  J.  Burns,  this  speaks  of  Dr.  Newton's  success  at 
Nottingham : — 

On  Sunday  morning  the  doctor's  powers  were  marvellous.  All  whom  he 
touched  in  the  Assembly  Rooms  were  either  healed  or  wonderfully  improved. 
The  conditions  were  excellent.  All  seemed  elated.  Oh,  how  poorly  stupid 
worldly  externalists  comprehend  the  nicety  of  spirit  forces,  and  the  necessity  of 
right  conditions  !     The  doctor's  visit  to  Nottingham  will  never  be  forgotten, 

CURE  OF  SPINAL  DISEASE. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Medium  and  Daybreak  : — Sir, — I  feel  it  my  duty 
to  inform  you  that  up  to  the  7th  August  of  the  present  year  I  had  been  for  nearly 
a  year  and  a  half  affiicted  with  a  spinal  disease,  for  which  I  had  been  attended  by 
both  local  and  London  practitioners,  but  from  whom  I  had  received  no  benefit— 


250  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

one,  in  fact,  having  told  me  that  mine  was  a  hopeless  case  !  After  being  for  less 
than  three  minutes  with  Dr.  Newton,  who  kindly  called  upon  me  on  the  7th  of 
August,  I  not  then  being  able  to  walk,  even  across  the  room,  without  assistance, 
after  he  placed  his  healing  hands  on  me  I  was  able  to  walk  out,  tinaided,  for  more 
than  a  mile,  and  since  that  time  I  have  enjoyed  most  excellent  health,  and  have 
been  nearly  as  active  as  I  ever  was  in  my  life.  I  most  solemnly  assert  the  truth 
of  this  statement  for  the  benefit  of  others,  and  hereunto  sign  my  name. 

Eliza  Penfold. 
[Residence  not  given.] 

The  following  instance  is  given  in  The  Medium,  of  a  cure  by  one 
to  whom  the  healing  power  was  imparted  by  Dr.  Newton  • 

A  TESTIMONY  TO  THE  HEALING  POWER. 

The  lady  who  was  cured  of  a  terrible  affliction  by  the  healing  power,  as 
noticed  in  a  paragraph  in  No.  21  of  the  Medium,  sends  us  a  testimony  in  her  own 
handwriting,  and  desires  to  make  her  name  known  for  the  truth's  sake  and  the 
good  of  humanity.  She  had  been  a  maniac  for  a  month,  had  eaten  no  food,  medi- 
cal aid  was  of  no  avail,  and  she  was  in  the  most  hopeless  condition.  The  follow- 
ing is  her  letter,  dated  Llanelly  : — 

"Finding  that  you  have  the  account  of  my  cure  in  Medium  No.  21,  headed, 
*  The  Advantages  of  the  Healing  Power,'  as  a  proof  of  the  genuineness  of  the 
paragraph,  allow  me  to  say  that  I  have  not  as  yet  had  the  slightest  return  of  the 
old  symptoms,  and  I  feel  that  I  am  as  sane  as  ever  I  was  in  any  portion  of  my 
life.  Words  cannot  express  the  thankfulness  I  feel  at  being  restored,  in  mind 
and  body,  in  so  short  a  time,  and  to  be  able  to  enjoy  the  society  of  my  dear 
friends  again.  They  are  no  less  thankful  than  myself,  and  often  look  upon  me 
with  wonder  and  astonishment  at  my  very  rapid  recovery.  May  God's  choicest 
blessings  continually  fall  on  Dr.  Newton,  you,  and  all  those  connected  with  this 
glorious  cause,  is  the  most  earnest  prayer  of  one  who  has  received  such  great 
benefit  through  his  mediumship. 

"M.  F.  Young." 

It  was  through  the  agency  of  her  brother,  James  F.  Young,  that  Miss  Young 
was  cured.  She  then  lived  in  Dorsetshire,  and  Mr.  Young  was  sent  for  from 
Wales  to  treat  his  sister,  and  from  the  instant  he  operated  on  her  after  the  man- 
ner of  Dr.  Newton,  she  was  completely  restored,  and  has  had  no  relapse,  but  a 
rapid  improvement  in  every  respect.  As  she  was  nearly  wasted  away  by  her  ill- 
ness and  abstinence,  her  brother  observes  in  a  letter,  "  We  can  scarcely  believe 
our  sight  when  we  look  at  the  change  that  has  taken  place  in  so  short  a  time. 
Surely  my  visit  to  Southampton  Row  (where  Dr.  Newton  imparted  to  Mr.  Young 
the  healing  power)  was  not  in  vain.  I  told  you  I  was  impelled  to  go.  I  know  a 
party  that  was  cured,  by  thinking  of  Dr.  Newton,  of  bronchitis,  severe  pain  in 
the  back,  and  neuralgia,  before  the  publication  of  my  case,  and  without  his  hav- 
ing any  knowledge  of  it  at  all.  This  proves  that  my  cure  was  no  myth.  (It  must 
be  remembered  that  it  was  Mr.  Young  and  his  wife  who  were  cured  of  severe 


THE    HEALER    IN    EUROPE.  25 1 

pains  by  thinking  of  Dr.  Newton  before  his  arrival  in  England  ;  the  cases  were 
reported  at  the  time  in  the  current  numbers  of  Daybreak  and  Huvian  Nature.)  I 
gave  Dr.  Newton's  carte  to  a  traveller,  who  immediately  felt  the  shock  up  his 
arm.  I  have  since  proved  him  to  be  a  capital  mesmeric  subject,  and  he  is  now 
an  investigator.     So  the  truth  goes  marching  on." 

From  The  Manchester  Examiner  and  Times. 
DR.  NEWTON,  THE  HEALER. 

Sir, — Permit  me,  in  the  interest  of  truth,  to  express  a  few  remarks  in  refer- 
ence to  Dr.  Newton.  On  the  first  arrival  of  Dr.  Newton  in  Liverpool  he  oper- 
ated on  from  30  to  40  patients,  all  of  whom  were,  with  one  exception,  either  cured 
or  relieved  of  complaints  more  or  less  serious  or  painful,  of  which  almost  the 
only  fair  reports  have  been  given  since  he  came  to  this  country.  And  in 
London  and  other  towns  hundreds  (including  myself)  have  already  seen  in  the 
persons  of  our  friends  the  benefits  which  have  been  conferred  through  Newton's 
instrumentality.  There  can  be  no  doubt  in  the  mind  of  any  fair  critic  that 
hundreds  in  this  country  have  been  entirely  cured,  while  hundreds  more  have 
been  benefited,  and  some  of  the  cases  of  cure  have  been  so  thorough,  so  instan- 
taneous, and  so  marvellous,  (seeing  that  medical  science  had  already  done  its  best 
for  the  patient,)  that  any  single  one  of  these  were  enough  to  give  the  healer  a 
life-long  fame  ;  and  it  is  no  doubt  from  these  cases,  which  could  not  fairly  be  de- 
nied, that  editors  and  reporters,  ignorant  of  the  occult  laws,  have  coined  the  term 
"  miracle,"  knowing  that  public  ignorance  and  prejudice  would  revolt  at  a  proof 
of  God's  unchangeability  and  fulfilment  of  a  Scripture  promise  that  *'  These  signs 
should  follow  them  that  believe,"  &c.,  &c.,  Mark  xvi.,  17-18.  "  And  greater  works 
than  these  shall  ye  do."  The  public  seem  to  forget  this.  Dr.  Newton  is  not, 
and  has  never  called  himself  a  "  miracle  worker,"  nor  did  he  ever  profess  to  re- 
lieve pain  or  disease  other  than  by  magnetism,  partly  from  his  own  brain  and 
body,  but  more  especially  from  a  great  multitude  of  spirits  or  angels,  messengers 
of  the  Most  High.  Again,  is  there  anything  wonderful  in  Dr.  Newton  having  as 
much  power  as  Peter .?  or  rousing  the  indignation  of  the  unchristian  bigots  of  to- 
day any  more  than  that  of  the  Sadducees  then  ?     Acts  v.,  15,  16,  17. 

Like  "Jesus,  Dr.  New'ton  is  said  to  do  these  things  by  the  chief  of  the  devils, 
to  which  we  would  reply,  success  to  him  when  he  does  good.  But  if  "  Satan  "  is 
divided  against  himself  how  shall  he  stand  "i  or  "  can  Satan  cast  out  Satan  t  " 

As  to  blaming  Satan  for  these  wonders,  he  ought  rather  to  be  praised.  He 
seems  to  have  been  reforming  for  centuries.  He  has  had  the  credit  of  inspiring 
Pope  Sylvester  II.  to  make  the  first  clock  go  with  weights  that  was  ever  made  in 
Europe.  Certainly  it  was  a  rude  one  ;  still  it  did  credit  to  the  devil.  Besides 
which  he  has  had  the  credit  of  nearly  every  important  discovery  and  reform  by 
which  the  world  has  been  advanced.  Jesus  was  laughed  to  scorn,  despised, 
rejected,  reviled,  smote  on  the  head,  mocked,  and  spat  upon  by  the  elders,  chief 
priests,  scribes,  and  pharisees.  He  was  condemned  as  a  Sabbath-breaker  for 
curing  a  withered  hand,  and  even  "  Pilate  knew  that  the  chief  priests  had 
delivered  him  from  envy."     He  was  considered  an  infidel  because  he  spoke  in 


252  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

advance  of  his  time,  and  should  He  become  re-incarnate  to-day,  would  professing 
Christians  treat  him  any  better? 

As  I  have  had  some  experience  in  mesmerism,  I  may  be  allowed  to  contrast 
Dr.  Newton's  power  with  mesmerism  as  applied  by  myself  and  other  mesmerists, 
and  also  at  the  London  Mesmeric  Infirmary,  36  Weymouth  Street,  Portland 
Place,  which  was  founded  in  1849  by  the  late  talented  Dr.  Ellison,  F.  R.S.,  since 
which  it  has  been  so  successful  in  its  object — viz.,  *'  the  alleviation  and  cure  of 
disease,  and  relief  and  prevention  of  pain  by  mesmerism,  and  mesmerism  only  " — 
as  is  to  be  seen  by  the  report  of  this  establishment,  which  was  for  ten  years  pre- 
sided over  by  the  late  Dr.  Whately,  Archbishop  of  Dublin.  Dr.  Newton  has 
many  times  given  more  relief  in  one  day  than  four  ordinary  mesmerists  would  do 
in  twelve  months.  And  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  no  single  brain  could 
generate  magnetism  in  the  quantity  thrown  off  by  him ;  and  it  is  only  when  we 
consider  him  a  medium  through  whom  the  spirits  pour  their  magnetism  that  we 
can  account  for  his  marvellous  work.  There  have  been  hundreds  of  medium- 
istic  patients  who,  like  the  one  so  successfully  treated  on  Monday  last  at  Halifax, 
have  seen  and  described  beautiful  people  throwing  down  showers  of  light  on  Dr. 
Newton,  Magnetism  thus  seen  by  sensitives  is  luminous  !  There  are  hundreds 
of  healing  mediums  besides  Dr.  Newton,  though  few  so  powerful;  and  there  are 
thousands  of  mediumistic  persons  who  would  make  healers  quite  as  good  as  he, 
if  they  would  yield  themselves  to  it.  "  The  harvest  is  great,  but  the  laborers 
are  few." 

The  names  and  addresses  of  a  number  of  persons  who  have  been  cured,  very 
few  of  whom  are  spiritualists,  are  published  in  the  spiritualists'  publications, 
particularly  the  Medium  and  Daybreak^  with  which  most  spiritualists  are  more 
or  less  acquainted. 

Dr.  Newton  is  but  a  repetition  of  a  vast  number  of  similar  cases  recorded  in 
the  history  of  the  Church — for  instance,  that  of  the  Cure  of  Ars.  Oh,  but  that 
was  only  a  piece  of  Roman  Catholic  knavery.  What,  '*  can  no  good  thing  come 
out  of  Nazareth  ?  "  When  we  consider  that  two  or  three  hundred  cases  have  to 
be  operated  upon  in  a  couple  of  hours,  is  it  any  wonder  that  many  should  go 
away  unrelieved  .''  -  Even  suppose  he  had  ample  time  in  every  case,  many  must 
necessarily  be  past  cure  in  this  life.  Even  of  Jesus  we  are  told  that  because  of 
their  unbelief  in  His  own  country,  "  He  could  there  do  no  mighty  works," — 
Mark  vi.  5. 

But  Dr.  Newton  will  continue  his  work  until  the  press  is  compelled  to 
acknowledge  his  gift.  He  will  give  evidence  of  the  perfection  of  God's  economy, 
and  the  possibility  of  the  annihilation  of  disease  and  pain  by  the  proper  applica- 
tion of  natural  laws,  the  power  of  spirit  over  material  forces,  which  will  cheer  the 
materialist  with  the  knowledge  of  a  future  life,  and  point  the  Church  to  heaven 
for  truth  which  shall  stream  down  the  celestial  telegraph,  and  compel  them  to 
receive  it. 

With  full  confidence  in  your  wish  to  be  impartial  in  this  matter,  and  that  you 

will  grant  me  the  opportunity  of  defending  my  view  of  the  case,  I  beg  to  remain, 

yours  respectfully, 

^  T.  C.  Davies 

Tempei'ance  Hall,  Grosvcnor-street,  Manchester,  July  5th,  187a 


SOME    ENGLISH    VIEWS.  253 


CHAPTER   XVIlI. 

SOME    ENGLISH    VIEWS. — FAREWELL    TO    ENGLAND. 

Address  by  J.  Burns,  Esq. — "God  is  Love"  and  "is  Spirit." — The  Creator  manifested 
everywhere  as  Love  or  Attraction. — Dr,  Newton  has  a  peculiar  Organization. — Re- 
ceives and  Transmits  Power  from  the  Universal  Spirit. — How  to  get  en  rapport  with 
the  Divine  Mind. — Healing  in  the  name  of  God. — The  Power  inexhaustible. — "  A 
Mighty  Fact  "  and  "  A  New  Science." — Another  View. — "  No  Miracles." — Health  may 
be  Propagated  by  Contagion. — The  Healer  leaves  London  for  America. — Farewell 
Soiree. — Speeches  by  Mr.  Shorter,  Dr.  Newton,  and  Mr.  Burns. — Parting  Words  of 
an  English  Journal. — Dr.  Newton's  Observations. — A  Corroboration. 

Before  proceeding  to  chronicle  Dr.  Newton's  departure  from 
England,  we  will  put  on  record  some  significant  and  valuable  ex- 
pressions of  opinion  from  English  minds,  relative  to  the  source  and 
nature  of  the  healing  power.  The  first  is  from  Mr.  James  Burns, 
editor  of  the  Medium  and  Daybreak^  who  had  extensive  opportuni- 
ties of  studying  the  exhibitions  of  this  power  through  Dr.  Newton, 
and  who  gives  evidence  of  possessing  a  penetrating  and  philo- 
sophic mind. 

ON  THE  HEALING  POWER  OF  DR.  NEWTON. 

{An  Address  delivered  at  Cavendish  Rooms,  London,  by  J.  Burns.) 
Taking  as  his  motto,  "  God  is  love,"  and  "  Love  is  the  link  that  binds  in 
one  all  human  souls  to  God,"  Mr.  Burns  remarked  that  throughout  all  ages  men 
had  striven  to  obtain  rational,  pure,  and  elevating  conceptions  of  God.  This 
was  specially  apparent  in  the  chapter  he  had  just  read,  where  it  was  said,  "  Ye 
worship  ye  know  not  what :  we  know  what  we  worship."  There  are  two  lead- 
ing views  of  the  nature  of  God.  The  one  was  that  God  was  a  spirit,  or  as  it  was 
more  philosophical  to  say,  God  is  spirit,  for  "  a  spirit "  implies  that  there  were 
more  spirits  than  one,  but  there  could  only  be  room  for  one  infinite  spirit,  hence 
God  must  be  the  spirit  and  substance  of  all  spiritual  being.  The  other  view  was 
the  anthropomorphous,  which  conceived  a  God  made  in  the  image  of  man.  Men 
pictured  to  themselves  a  certain  being  after  the  cast  of  their  own  mind,  to  which 


254  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

they  attributed  locality  and  personality,  so  that  he  became  a  great  man,  good  or 
bad,  according  to  the  plane  of  the  worshipper,  but,  in  any  case,  a  man  made 
after  the  image  of  man. 

He  was  aware  that  inquiry  into  the  nature  of  God  was  much  deprecated  in 
some  quarters.  It  was  laid  down  by  the  various  sects,  that  we  should  not  in- 
quire into  the  matter,  but  should  accept  the  forms  of  thought  which  had  been 
transmitted  to  us  from  our  ancestors.  All  progress,  however,  in  the  social  ele- 
vation of  man  had  taken  place  in  epochs  when  men  had  broken  away  from  the 
churches,  persuasions,  and  sects  of  the  time,  and  had  acquired  original  views  of 
the  nature  of  God. 

This  was  the  case  at  the  commencement  of  the  Hebrew  dispensation,  when 
Moses  laid  down  a  theology  which  kept  the  Hebrews  together,  and  gave  them  a 
a  distinct  position.  Jesus,  again,  broke  away  entirely  from  Jewish  theology  and 
teaching,  and  was  considered  an  infidel  and  blasphemer.  He  went  into  his  own 
consciousness  and  discovered  God,  as  in  the  passage  he  had  just  read — "  God  is 
Spirit."  No  philosopher,  scientist,  or  metaphysician  had  ever  been  able  to  go 
beyond  that  definition  ;  indeed,  very  few  minds  had  been  able  to  understand  it, 
for  the  human  mind  could  realize  only  things  which  it  became  acquainted  with 
by  experience  or  consciousness.  Hence  the  difficulty  of  understanding  the  defi- 
nition "  spirit,"  infinite  spirit,  or  God,  which  could  only  be  received  by  human 
growth  and  development. 

We  looked  on  God  as  male,  but  we  did  not  know  that  God  was  either  male 
or  female ;  rather  there  was  in  the  Godhead  the  sum  and  substance  of  all  the  at- 
tributes of  being,  male  and  female ;  and  it  might  be  that  there  were  conditions 
of  being  in  which  male  and  female  were  blended  into  one  being. 

Some  religionists  deprecated  the  notion  of  a  personal  God  ;  others  held  that 
to  give  up  this  was  to  make  God  nothing.  Some  could  not  think  of  anything  in 
the  abstract,  just  as  som:;  children  could  not  conceive  the  number  of  five  unless 
they  were  shown  fiv3  apples  ;  and  the  human  mind  being  always  in  a  state  of  in- 
fancy, never  arriving  at  maturity  or  end,  we  all  required  certain  objective  forms 
and  conditions  in  order  to  understand  certain  truths.  It  was  therefore  neces- 
sary for  some  to  add  material  attributes,  such  as  personality,  to  the  Deity,  in  or- 
der to  conceive  of  his  existence. 

He  would  offer  a  thought  which  might  perhaps  bring  the  holders  of  the  two 
views  together.  God  was  one  condition  in  the  question  and  man  the  other. 
Now  there  was  no  difference  of  opinion  as  to  man  being  personal;  he  must  re- 
ceive all  impressions  and  sensations  through  his  personality.  Hence,  though 
God  might  be  illimitable,  unobjective,  unlike  humanity  in  every  sense  except  as 
to  those  attributes  of  His  nature  which  we  derived  from  Him,  He  must  appear 
personal  to  us.  We  had  a  persona!  relation  to  Him,  for  He  was  the  God  and 
Father  of  each  of  us.  This  was  the  nearest  we  could  get  to  the  higher  con- 
sciousness of  spirit. 

As  to  love  it  was  in  its  phenomenal  aspect  a  universal  attraction,  or  forma- 
tive power  in  everything.  Water  attracted  water,  as  in  the  rain-drops  which  run 
down  the  window-pane.  Everything  attracted  its  kind,  and  this  power  had 
created  all  things.    God,  therefore,  as  a  Creator,  was  represented  in  love,  in  at- 


SOME    ENGLISH   VIEWS,  25$ 

traction.  Tne  crystals  in  a  piece  of  rock  were  formed  by  attraction ;  kindred 
atoms  drew  themselves  together  ;  then  they  might  be  gathered  by  mechanical 
means  to  form  a  rock.  In  plants  we  found  a  higher  form  of  attraction :  oats, 
beans,  flowers  of  various  kinds,  living  in  the  same  elements,  with  the  same  air, 
moisture,  and  earth,  attracted  different  combinations  of  substances,  so  that  a 
a  ranunculus  was  poisonous,  a  rose  fragrant,  and  corn  nourishing.  In  the  aerial 
kingdom  also  various  species  perpetuated  themselves,  and  remained  distinct 
from  others,  so  that  man  had  not  been  able  to  blend  the  well-marked  lines  with 
which  nature  had  separated  them. 

In  man  there  was  the  same  law.  Every  man  had  idiosyncracies,  desires,  and 
impulses  which  were  not  on  the  same  plane  as  those  around  him,  and,  as  far  as 
we  could  learn,  this  individuality  would  be  retained  through  all  eternity.  A  seer 
could  see  love ;  could  see  the  chain  which  connected  kindred  atoms  and  kindred 
minds.  The  psychometrist,  on  putting  a  piece  of  rock  to  her  forehead,  would 
explain  its  nature  and  describe  the  physical  scenes  under  which  it  had  been 
brought  into  its  present  condition.  Bring  a  pebble  from  a  cave,  and  she  would 
tell  you  how  animals  had  herded  in  that  cave,  and  how  savage  men  made  it  their 
home  before  the  dawn  of  civilization  in  that  country.  Take  her  into  a  field  and 
she  would  see  the  different  emanations,  the  different  glow  of  vitality,  in  the  veins 
of  each  plant.  So  each  animal  presented  a  different  appearance  to  her,  and  she 
could  see  the  attractive  principle  connected  with  its  life.  Hold  a  magnet  over  a 
piece  of  iron,  and  she  would  see  streaming  from  its  poles  the  light  which  at- 
tracted the  iron. 

The  world  was  in  continual  change  ;  everything  in  the  universe  was  continu- 
ally changing  its  substance,  continually  giving  off  and  attracting  something.  As 
soon  as  the  life  principle  went  out  it  decayed  and  became  part  of  other  objects. 
Stone  from  the  quarry,  though  it  might  remain  intact  hundreds  or  even  thou- 
sands of  years,  eventually  decayed,  when  it  became  incapable  of  receiving  and 
giving  off  the  flow  of  life.  Every  mineral,  plant,  or  man  had  a  different  quality 
of  this  love  principle.  Persons  preferred  particular  trades  because  their  love 
principle  was  on  a  plane  with  the  substances  they  delighted  to  work  with.  He 
had  had  a  young  man  brought  to  him  whom  he  told  that  he  worked  in  the  iron  trade, 
and  that  if  he  continued  at  it  he  would  never  have  good  health,  but  would  dwindle 
away,  be  unhappy,  and  be  laid  in  an  early  grave.  He  therefore  advised  him  to 
become  a  carpenter,  gardener,  or  whatever  suited  his  temperament,  and  the  young 
man  on  making  the  change  would  at  once  become  well.  Some  did  well  in  a  par- 
ticular trade,  while  others  would  become  ill  and  prematurely  old  in  it.  This  ex- 
plained the  preference  for  different  pursuits. 

Every  organ  of  the  body  and  mind  gave  off  a  different  love  principle.  The 
bony  structure,  the  muscular  system,  the  arterial  blood,  the  venous  blood,  the 
nerves,  the  viscera  had  all  various  vital  principles  and  loves  which  connected 
them  with  the  conditions  around  them.  So  with  the  brain,  the  executive  organs 
had  one  love  principle,  the  perception  another,  memory,  the  reflective  organs, 
the  intuitive,  the  esthetic,  the  social,  the  ipsial,  each  a  different  principle,  while 
the  spiritual  organs,  if  in  activity,  gave  off  their  particular  light.  Hence,  to  the 
clairvoyant  the  human  body  was  a  wonderful  temple  more  beautiful  than  any 


256  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

illuminated  city,  the  various  organs  giving  off  their  distinct  lights,  which  formed 
a  kind  of  halo  around  the  individual. 

Now,  how  far  did  this  philosophy  influence  Spiritualism  ?  How  far  would  it 
explain  the  healing  powers  of  Dr.  Newton  and  others,  and  the  quality  of  spiritual 
manifestations?  Dr.  Newton  had  a  peculiar  organization.  He  had  a  full  formed 
body,  and  large  social  brain,  indicating  great  vital  power ;  his  hair,  skin,  the 
structure  of  his  body  was  remarkably  fine,  and  though  what  would  be  called  a 
stout,  he  was  by  no  means  a  gross  man.  He  developed  a  considerable  amount 
of  that  peculiar  magnetism  which  sustained  vitality  and  was  the  cause  and  pro- 
duct of  vital  action.  His  brain  culminated  in  the  centre,  there  being  a  ridge  of 
brain  right  in  the  centre,  showing  remarkable  powers  of  will  and  concentration. 
Vague  wide  heads  had  vague  wide  characters,  while  narrow  heads  had  powers  of 
concentration  and  more  control  over  the  direction  of  their  minds.  Again,  he  had 
a  peculiar  susceptibility  which  made  him  conscious  of  the  conditions  of  those 
around  him.  He  could  not  undertake  to  explain  the  laws  of  that  peculiar  sus- 
ceptibility, for  they  had  not  been  thoroughly  discussed. 

Dr.  Newton  had  power  to  influence  people  through  the  various  parts  of  his 
organization  ;  first,  by  direct  vital  action.  This  did  not  depend  on  the  patient, 
for  the  other  day  he  was  riding  in  a  cab,  and  the  horse  was  taken  with  the  "  stag- 
gers," reeling  in  a  violent  way.  He  went  up  to  it,  and  cured  it  instantly,  so  that 
it  was  able  to  go  on.  Now,  as  the  horse  had  no  imagination,  mind,  or  convic- 
tions, Dr.  Newton  must  have  appealed  to  some  vital  condition  connected  with  the 
nervous  system,  for  it  could  only  receive  those  qualities  which  it  could  assimilate. 
With  human  beings  it  was  somewhat  different. 

How  conscious  Dr.  Newton  was  of  his  powers  of  healing  !  He  never  had  any 
doubt  whether  he  would  cure  or  not.  When  he  saw  a  case  he  could  not  cure  he 
said  so  at  once,  though  he  sometimes  tried  in  desperate  cases  and  did  not  succeed 
It  was  imperative  that  he  should  remain  continually  in  that  frame  of  mind  which 
convinced  him  of  his  success.  The  difference  between  him  and  us  was  that  he 
was  conscious  of  his  power,  while  we  were  conscious  of  our  want  of  power.  If  we 
were  as  conscious  of  the  power  to  heal,  we  could  do  a  great  deal,  though  perhaps 
not  so  well  as  Dr.  Newton.  No  person  could  do  what  he  did  not  think  he^could. 
One  might  understand  the  philosophy  of  healing,  it  might  be  in  the  memory,  but 
the  thing  must  be  in  the  will ;  if  it  was  both  in  the  understanding  and  the  will,  it 
was  in  a  person  completely.  Dr.  Newton  did  not  understand  the  whys  and 
wherefores,  but  he  had  it  in  his  will,  and  hence  he  could  do  so  much,  for  the  will 
inspired  both  him  and  those  he  came  in  contact  with. 

The  emanations  depended  on  the  state  of  the  organs.  If  our  organs  were 
healthy  and  under  a  certain  conviction,  they  would  give  off  that  influence  and  con- 
viction unto  others.  Hence,  if  a  medium  was  seated  among  skeptics,  no  phe- 
nomena occurred.  Skepticism  was  opposed  to  what  it  did  not  understand,  and 
unless  the  positive  influence  of  conviction  was  predominant  in  the  circle,  the 
skeptics  for  that  occasion  would  triumph.  If  a  person  doubted  whether  he  could 
heal,  his  skepticism  would  affect  his  mind,  and  put  him  in  the  same  position  of 
impotency  and  weakness  as  yourself.  Healers  must  be  conscious  of  their  power, 
for  it  passed  into  the  minds  of  others,  and  promoted  the  cure.     The  first  step 


SOME    ENGLISH    VIEWS.  25/ 

was  the  vital  power,  body  acting  on  body  ;  and  the  second  the  biological  power, 
by  which  the  healer's  mind  acted  on  the  minds  of  his  patients,  and  these  two  re- 
stored a  patient  much  more  easily  than  vital  magnetism,  or  mesmerism,  as  it  was 
called. 

He  now  came  to  the  greater  question  whether  Dr.  Newton  received  influences 
other  than  physiological  and  biological,  mind  and  body  were  not  all ;  there  was 
something  deeper,  viz.,  spirit.  Dr.  Newton  said  he  healed  people  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  of  God.  Now  the  word  God,  merely  signified  good,  and  all  that  was 
good  was  God  or  godly.  But  what  was  good  ?  Anything  that  was  fulfilling  the 
great  purposes  of  existence  was  good.  There  were  indeed  conventional  ideas  of 
good,  for  some  thought  it  was  good  to  get  money  by  betting  or  tricks  of  trade,  or 
to  gratify  some  abnormal  passion,  but  absolute  good  was  God.  Absolute  good 
was  what  promoted  our  eternal  happiness,  and  was  in  accordance  with  the  un- 
changeable laws  and  purposes  of  the  divine  mind.  A  man  might  have  amassed 
wealth,  but  after  passing  into  the  other  life,  he  might  find  that  the  whole  beauty 
of  his  existence  had  been  frustrated,  and  for  a  man  to  be  deprived  of  his  wealth 
and  become  industrious  and  honest  might  enable  him  to  pass  into  the  other  world 
thousands  of  years  ahead  of  the  point  he  would  have  reached  if  he  had  tried  to 
take  his  wealth  with  him.  Such  a  loss  of  wealth,  though  to  the  world  a  seeming 
evil,  might  be  for  his  benefit,  and  perhaps  for  the  benefit  of  myriads. 

Everything  in  creation  was  good,  and  from  God  ;  all  ills  and  sins  had  come 
to  us  from  a  power  beyond  us,  but  we  were  nearing  a  better  life  and  clearness  of 
spiritual  sight.  God  was  omnipresent  and  omniscient,  and  our  conceptions  of 
Him  were  the  corner-stone  of  human  advancement.  There  would  be  a  great  deal 
less  ingratitude  and  repining  if  men  saw  the  Father,  even  in  the  darkest  hours  of 
their  existence.  Dr.  Newton  healed  in  the  name  of  God,  the  universal  spirit  of 
whom  we  were  detached  fragments,  as  it  were,  hanging  on  to  the  skirts  of  the 
divine  garments  of  universal  existence.  The  divine  nature  flowed  into  every  man; 
but  all  were  not  conscious  of  it.  Men  were  so  encased  in  sense  and  animal  feeling 
that  they  were  unconscious  of  the  greatest  fact  of  their  being,  and  denied  this  God 
presence.  We  could  not  understand  what  was  above  and  beyond  us.  We  could 
understand  our  relations  to  the  finite,  bu*  not  to  the  infinite,  though  these  had 
been  pointed  out  almost  scientifically  by  elevated  spirits,  and  Dr.  Newton  claimed 
that  relationship. 

How  should  we  get  en  rapport  with  the  divine  mind .?  Merely  by  the  love  of 
doing  good.  If  our  mind  were  of  unadulterated  purity  and  goodness,  we  should 
be  conscious  of  the  divine  influence  in  all  the  scenes  of  life  around  us  ;  but  if  it 
were  directed  by  ambition,  pride,  petty  scheming  and  selfishness,  we  should  have 
none  of  this  influx,  and  should  undergo  much  misery  on  our  crooked  road  before 
we  saw  that  it  was  necessary  to  go  back  and  start  on  another  course.  The 
healer  must  have  the  desire  to  do  good,  and  he  did  not  believe  Dr.  Newton  could 
heal  if  his  motive  were  a  selfish  one.  "  If  this  man  were  not  of  God  (or  good) 
he  could  do  nothing."  Mesmerists  had  driven  persons  into  abnormal  states 
through  their  desires  not  being  pure  and  unselfish.  Dr.  Newton  could  invoke 
the  power  of  God  by  his  good- will. 

Some,  indeed,  thought  it  blasphemy  to  invoke  God's  power  ;  but  if  God  was 
17 


258  TFIE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

our  Father  and  was  near  us,  nothing  could  be  more  natural  than  to  invoke  his 
power  or  blessing.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  he  were  a  potentate,  a  capricious 
tyrant  in  the  form  of  man,  it  would  take  a  great  deal  of  courting  and  whimpering 
to  get  favor  and  aid.  If  He  was  infinite  goodness,  we  had  only  to  love  and  seek 
Him  to  have  His  smile  on  us,  and  to  be  crowned  with  the  success  which  He 
desired  for  whatever  was  good.  As  we  gave  gifts  to  children  on  account  of  their 
goodness,  so  if  our  objects  were  good  He  would  reward  us. 

This  explained  the  philosophy  of  doing  things  in  His  name  ;  but  Dr.  New- 
ton also  healed  in  the  name  of  Jesus  and  other  great  and  good  souls,  a  matter 
which  was  much  discussed  by  the  press  and  among  Spiritualists,  and  it  was  well 
it  should  be  discussed,  for  it  was  an  occult  subject.  Now  men  could  cure 
diseases  in  the  name  of  Dr.  Newton,  or  of  any  one  who  had  the  attribute  of 
healing.  The  spirit  of  every  man  was  omnipresent,  and  it  was  beginning  to  be 
seen  that  it  would  be  no  absurdity  for  the  spirit  of  Franklin  to  give  a  message,  at 
the  same  time,  to  circles  in  London,  Paris,  and  New  York,  for  the  spirits  in  cer- 
tain respects  were  ubiquitous.  The  spirit  of  a  man  might  be  in  different  places 
at  the  same  time.  (In  illustration  of  which  Mr.  Burns  referred  to  the  appear- 
ance of  Dr.  Newton  to  a  medium  at  Greenock,  the  result  of  a  magnetized 
portrait  of  him,  as  described  in  last  week's  Medium.  At  Llanelly,  in  Wales,  a 
person  saw  threads  of  light  pass  from  him  to  Dr.  Newton.)  Wherever  his 
influence  went,  he  was  present ;  and  so  with  all  of  us.  Spirit  knew  nothing  of 
time  nor  space.  Magnetize  anything,  and  send  it  to  a  distance,  and  people 
would  benefit  from  it  by  being  brought  en  rapport  with  the  magnetizer. 

*  It  might  be  asked  whether,  if  Dr.  Newton  was  continually  giving  off  these 
Streams,  he  might  not  become  empty  and  exhausted  ?  He  replied  no ;  for  as 
Dr.  Newton  said,  "  The  love  which  you  bear  unto  me,  I  bear  to  others."  He 
drew  in  the  love  of  the  persons  whom  he  had  healed,  who  had  corresponded  with 
him,  or  who  respected  and  loved  him.  He  was  a  receptacle  which  love  entered 
and  passed  out  of,  with  its  healing  benefits.  *  *  *  He  also  healed  con- 
ditions of  the  mind,  making  some  reverential  who  were  not  so  before  ;  making 
the  critical  harmonious,  the  cynical  and  tartaric  benevolent  and  charitable.  We 
could  get  nothing,  however,  from  a  medium  further  than  he  was  opened  up  to. 
*  *  *  Every  one  was  only  capable  of  receiving  what  he  was  open  to  ; 
hence  the  different  quality  of  messages  through  various  mediums.  Instead  of 
blaming  the  spirits  for  oblique,  perverted  messages,  we  should  rather  blame 
ourselves.  People,  however,  if  at  a  respectable  circle  they  heard  lies,  did  not 
like  to  attribute  it  to  their  host,  and  indeed  the  fault  might  lie  in  themselves. 

Let  us  try  to  understand  our  relation  to  these  phenomena,  and  to  do  our 
duties  in  life.  Dr.  Newton  was  open  not  only  to  mundane  love,  but  to  the  mighty 
resources  of  the  world  of  spirits,  which  was  only  another  phase  of  the  universal 
divine  love.  Hence  streams  of  power  accompanied  the  Doctor's  vital  or  physical 
efforts  to  heal,  giving  him  great  potency  as  a  healer  without  exhaustion.  By 
shutting  out  the  external  world,  and  opening  his  inner  faculties,  Dr.  Newton 
could  bring  himself  en  rapport  with  mighty  spirits  of  the  past  on  the  plane  of 
Love  and  Good,  and  bring  the  aid  of  whole  communities  of  spirits,  thousands 
strong,  to  the  aid  of  humanity.     This  was  a  mighty  fact,  a  new  science,  an  impor- 


SOME    ENGLISH    VIEWS.  259 

tation  into  the  human  mind  of  something  which  had  not  been  known,  realized,  or 
understood  before. 

Another  view  is  as  follows  : — 

THERE  ARE  NO  "MIRACLES." 

When  the  Syr.an  censor  asked  Jesus,  "  Art  thou  the  King  of  the  Jews  ? " 
He  answered,  "  Thou  sayest  it."  That  is,  "  You  say  so."  In  like  manner 
the  newspapers  have  styled  Dr.  Newton  a  "  miracle  worker,"  and  he  may  well 
say  to  the  press,  "  Thou  sayest  it,"  as  Dr.  Newton  has  never  said  so  himself.  A 
miracle  is  vulgarly  supposed  to  be  an  impossibility,  and  the  stupidity  that  would 
consider  it  possible  to  perform  an  impossible  act  by  any  means  whatever,  is  too 
crass  even  to  excite  ridicule.  A  miracle  is  simply  a  phenomenon  which  is 
"  wonderful  "  to  the  common  beholder,  because  of  its  rarity,  and  from  the  fact 
that  the  means  whereby  it  is  produced  are  not  understood ;  but  all  such  won- 
derful things  are  possible,  and  are  therefore  done  according  to  natural  law.  Dr. 
Newton  may  have  possibilities  connected  with  him  which  other  persons  do  not 
possess.  As  a  medium,  he  may  be  open  to  spirit  aid  and  influence  ;  and  as 
endowed  with  certain  constitutional  peculiarities,  he  may  be  able  to  act  in 
accordance  with  some  of  God's  laws  in  a  way  more  marked  than  other  men. 
Hence  it  is  correct  for  him  to  say  that  through  the  "  power  of  God  and  angels  " 
these  things  are  done,  which  is  only  another  phrase  for  natural  law  and  spirit 
aid.  It  is  true  that  all  phenomena  are  produced  by  the  "  power  of  God,"  but 
the  term  is  more  specially  applied  when  a  beneficent  and  ulterior  object  result- 
ing in  a  higher  good  flows  from  the  means  used.  The  newspapers  have  coined 
another  misrepresentation  on  this  head,  by  stating  that  the  Doctor  attributes  his 
success  to  "  magnetism."  We  are  aware  that  the  newspaper  writers  do  not 
know  what  that  term  means,  but  as  the  "  power  of  God "  and  the  "influence  of 
spirits  "  at  all  times  require  a  vehicle  for  their  manifestation,  what  is  the  objec- 
tion to  magnetism  being  that  necessary  instrumentality? 

Still  another : — 

THE     RELATIVE    POWER     OF    GOOD    AND    OF    EVIL    IN    THE 
WORLD,  AS   RECOGNIZED  BY  SKEPTICAL  MINDS. 

( To  the  Editor  of  the  Medium  and  Daybreak. ) 
Sir, — The  controversy  concerning  Dr.  Newton  has  suggested  to  my  mind  the 
following  ideas,  which,  if  you  think  them  worth  inserting,  may  lead  to  further 
discussion  on  the  wider  questions  thus  opened.  It  has  always  appeared  to  me  a 
very  inconsistent  feature  in  skepticism  with  regard  to  Spiritualism,  that  while 
^£7<?^  spirits  are  denied  any  participation  in  mundane  affairs,  evil  influences  are 
admitted  to  be  in  full  force ;  insomuch,  that  when  a  man  gives  way  to  his  bad 
passions  he  says  the  "  evil  spirit  tempted  me  ;  "  he  indulges  in  his  particular  sin, 
and  blames  the  devil  for  the  consequences  !  But  it  is  entirely  lost  sight  of  that 
it  is  in  the  power  of  every  individual  to  invoke  the  good  in  his  nature  if  he  will. 
Sin  is  often  pleasant — it  comes  in  a  seductive  form;  and  it  is  convenient  to  have 


260  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

a  scapegoat  in  Satan,  to  bear  the  blame  of  the  sin  in  those  who  have  taken  no 
trouble  to  resist  the  temptation.  This  may  be  a  convenient  doctrine,  but  it  is  a 
very  dangerous  one. 

Perhaps  you  will  say,  "  What  has  this  to  do  with  Dr.  Newton  and  his  healing 
powers  ?  "  Well,  I  wish  to  show  that  the  same  mistake  as  that  which  I  have 
just  pointed  out  exists  in  the  popular  mind  with  reference  to  the  influences 
which  operate  for  good  or  evil  in  the  physical  organism.  Those  who  ridicule  the 
idea  of  Dr.  Newton's  method  of  healing  would  not  deny  the  possibility  of  disease 
being  communicated  from  one  individual  to  another  by  means  of  infection  or 
contagion.  It  is  generally  admitted  that  a  subtle  poison  may  be  introduced  into 
the  system;  no  one  knows  whence  it  comes  or  how  it  acts,  but  the  poison  is 
there,  and  the  fact  is  not  for  a  moment  doubted.  A  remarkable  case  of  infection 
is  worth  recording  here,  as  a  proof  of  the  subtle  nature  of  the  poison  thus 
imparted.  A  saddler,  who  had  always  felt  a  great  dread  of  small-pox,  was 
sitting  at  his  window  looking  into  the  principal  street  of  a  country  town :  the 
window  and  shop  door  were  both  closed.  A  woman  passed  the  window,  carrying 
in  her  arms  a  child  whose  face  and  neck  were  covered  with  pustules  indicating 
small-pox  in  full  force.  The  man  before  mentioned,  seeing  the  child,  felt  a  cold 
chill  and  a  shudder  pass  through  him.  He  said  he  should  have  the  small-pox 
and  die ;  and  his  prophecy  was  verified.  Now,  what  can  be  more  difficult  to 
understand  than  the  way  in  which  this  man  was  affected  ?  Some  might  endeavor 
to  explain  the  fact  by  suggesting  that  the  man  frightened  himself  into  the  dis- 
order. The  effect  of  fear  would  be  to  accelerate  and  intensify  the  attack,  but  it 
would  not  produce  the  germs  of  the  poison,  which  must  by  some  means  have 
been  communicated  from  the  one  individual  to  the  other.  Well  now,  admitting 
all  this,  is  there  anything  more  remarkable  in  the  idea  that  a  power  may  exist  in 
persons  so  constituted  that  they  can  impart  health  and  vitality  to  others  in  the 
same  inexplicable  manner  as  poison  may  be  introduced  into  the  blood  through 
fevers  and  other  similar  maladies  ?  Moreover,  the  mind  has  a  great  deal  to  do 
with  influencing  the  condition  of  the  body.  We  may  exercise  our  "  will  "  to 
receive  or  neutralize  this  or  that,  and  the  effect  will  be  favorable,  or  prejudicial, 
or  negative,  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  case.  This  may  in  some 
measure  explain  the  action  of  the  loving  principle  which  Dr.  Newton  enjoins  and 
practices,  and  which  gives  him  so  much  good  influence  over  those  who  meet  him 
in  the  same  kindly  spirit,  casting  away  all  prejudice  and  unbelief. 

Yours,  &c.. 

Sensitive. 

This  suggestion,  that  health  and  good  may  be  propagated  by 
infection^  or  contagion^  as  readily  as  can  disease  and  evil,  is  doubt- 
less v^rell-founded,  and  worthy  the  attention  of  all  doubters  of  the 
reality  of  the  healing  force.  In  either  case,  a  certain  degree  of 
receptivity  of  organism  is  requisite  in  order  that  the  infection  may 
take  effect.  This  suggests  the  reason  of  the  requirement  oi  faith 
as  a  condition  of  healing  in  some  cases.     But  of  that,  more  anon. 


SOME   ENGLISH    VIEWS.  26 1 

On  the  2d  of  September,  1870,  Dr.  Newton  having  closed  his 
labors  in  London,  left  that  city  for  Liverpool,  whence  he  embarked 
on  his  return  to  America.  Before  leaving,  he  was  tendered  a  fare- 
well soiree  by  the  grateful  people,  the  following  account  of  which 
is  condensed  from  the  Medium  and  Daybreak : — 

FAREWELL  SOIREE  TO  DR.  NEWTON. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  August  30,  a  very  pleasant  meeting  took  place  in  the 
Cambridge  Hall,  Newman  Street,  Oxford  Street,  at  which  Dr.  Newton  was  enter- 
tained, in  anticipation  of  his  departure  from  London.  Only  four  days  were  al- 
lowed to  make  the  arrangements,  as  Dr.  Newton's  intention  to  leave  London  to- 
day became  known  as  we  went  to  press  last  week.  *  *  »  It  was  gratifying 
to  witness  the  warm  social  feeling  which  animated  every  one.  All  seemed  at 
home,  and  the  opening  song,  "  Home,  Sweet  Home,"  was  singularly  appropriate, 
and  suggestive  of  the  leading  sentiment  of  the  party  assembled ;  and  it  was  in 
honor  and  love  to  a  father  of  Spiritualism  that  the  concourse  took  place,  and 
goodly  patriarchs  in  the  cause  conducted  the  proceedings.  Mr.  Luxmore,  by 
some  agreeable  fatality,  was  in  London,  after  a  long  sojourn  in  other  parts  of  this 
planet.  His  presence  at  such  a  gathering  at  once  involved  the  idea  of  things  as 
they  ought  to  be.  With  characteristic  cordiality  he  responded  to  the  popular 
vote  that  he  should  preside,  which  he  did  with  a  good  taste  even  in  excess  of  his 
usual  sound  judgment.  Mr.  Luxmore  had  seen  none  of  Dr.  Newton's  doings, 
but  he  had  heard  of  them,  and  was  happy  to  learn  that  the  newspapers  had 
grossly  exaggerated  the  difficulties  under  which  the  good  Doctor  had  been  placed. 
Mr.  Luxmore  had  just  returned  from  the  broad  seas,  and  that  afternoon  he  had 
spent  a  short  time  with  the  Doctor,  and  from  the  kindly  and  benevolent  way  in 
which  that  gentleman  spoke  of  his  detractors  and  of  the  great  work  in  general, 
the  speaker  was  at  once  ready  to  participate  in  such  a  meeting  as  he  had  on  that 
occasion  the  pleasure  of  presiding  over.  He  was  aware  that  he  had  missed  much 
by  his  absence  from  London,  but  the  cordial  intercourse  which  he  had  had  with 
the  Doctor  that  day  in  a  great  degree  compensated  for  the  past.  He  called  on 
Mr.  Thomas  Shorter  to  address  the  meeting,  in  the  terms  of  a  resolution  which 
he  read,  to  the  effect  that  those  present  deeply  sympathized  with  Dr.  Newton  and 
his  mission  ;  that  they  rejoiced  in  his  success  amongst  them,  and  fervently  prayed 
that  in  the  future  his  efforts  for  the  promotion  of  human  welfare  would  result  in 
undiminished  fruits. 

MR.   SHORTER'S  speech. 

Mr.  Shorter  said  that  Spiritualists  welcomed  Dr.  Newton  ;  even  those  who 
were  unacquainted  with  the  facts  of  his  history  considered  it  a  duty  to  do  so. 
We  desired  that  his  work  should  be  known  as  widely  as  possible  throughout  the 
kingdom,  and  that  every  facility  should  be  afforded  him  to  carry  it  on.  But  even 
those  who  had  the  greatest  confidence  in  the  power  of  Dr.  Newton  could  not 
help  expressing  their  misgivings  as  to  his  success  amongst  us.  We  do  not  attrib' 
ute  to  Dr.  Newton,  nor  does  Dr.  Newton  claim,  the  power  of  working  miracles, 


262  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

in  the  ordinary  sense  of  that  word.  We  have  not  regarded  this  power  as  some- 
thing in  violation  of  natural  laws,  whatever  its  nature  may  be,  but  we  have  re- 
garded it  as  a  divine  power  operating  through  natural  laws  ;  but  knowing  the 
strength  of  sectarian  bigotry,  and  the  ease  with  which  prejudice  might  be  roused, 
we  had  our  misgivings  and  apprehensions.  I  am  happy  to  say,  however,  that  Dr. 
Newton  has  met  with  greater  success  than  his  friends  looked  for,  and  which  is 
even  beyond  his  own  most  sanguine  anticipations.  He  has  visited  Liverpool, 
Nottingham,  Andover,  Kingston,  Maidstone,  and  other  places,  and  wherever  he 
has  gone  he  has  left  behind  him  monuments  of  his  power.  Many  of  these  cases 
our  friend  Mr.  Harrison  has,  with  great  pains  and  care,  collected  ;  these  cases  he 
has  published,  giving  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  persons  cured.  These  in- 
clude not  merely  chronic  cases,  but  every  conceivable  malady ;  and  amongst  his 
patients  he  has  had  many  persons  of  note  and  standing.  Mr.  Jenckin  is  well 
known  through  the  press,  in  consequence  of  his  ill-treatment  in  Spain  last  year. 
Mr.  Jenckin's  eyes  were  affected  by  this  ill-usage,  but  were  cured  by  Dr.  Newton 
in  the  course  of  a  few  moments  :  he  has  published  this  fact  with  his  own  signa- 
ture, and  has  repeated  it  in  my  hearing.  Mr.  Van  Meter,  a  well-known  American 
philanthropist,  has  also  been  cured  of  paralysis,  and  he  also  has  publicly  testified 
to  the  genuineness  of  the  cure  ;  and  had  these  gentlemen  been  in  town,  so  as  to 
be  present  this  evening,  they  would  corroborate  all  I  say,  and  I  make  this  state- 
ment on  their  behalf.  Another  case  is  that  of  a  gentleman  who  had  had  a  tumor 
on  his  breast  for  twp  months,  and  had  been  treated  by  many  doctors,  but  without 
obtaining  any  relief.  He  visited  Dr.  Newton,  and  is  now  entirely  cured.  Dr. 
Newton  has  been  with  us  now  four  months,  and  I  am  sure,  during  that  time,  all 
who  have  made  his  personal  acquaintance  and  friendship  must  feel  their  esteem 
and  love  for  him  increase  in  proportion  to  the  intimacy  with  which  they  have  been 
acquainted  with  him,  for  his  geniality,  suavity  of  temper,  and  kindness  of  dispo- 
sition— for  his  valor  and  urbanity.  I  use  this  term  advisedly,  for  valor  does  not 
merely  consist  in  physical  bravery,  but  in  that  sort  of  bravery  that  faces  the 
world's  prejudices  and  brings  peace  on  earth  and  goodwill  toward  men.  This  is 
the  valor  which  Dr.  Newton  has  prominently  exhibited.  He  has  borne  all  oppo- 
sition with  equanimity,  without  any  spirit  of  retaliation  ;  it  has  moved  him  to  no 
single  angry  word  or  feeling  towards  his  opponents.  We  must  all  respect  a  man 
who  comes  among  us  thus — who  is  thus  able  to  brave  all  the  taunts  of  prejudice 
which  have  been  manifested  towards  him.  I  think  we  should  express  our  grati- 
tude towards  him,  arising  from  the  benefit  we  have  received  from  him — a  grati- 
tude which  I  am  sure  we  must  all  feel  towards  one  who  came  amongst  us  in  the 
spirit  of  peace  and  good  will,  in  a  time  when  the  demon  of  war  shakes  his  red 
right  hand  and  marks  his  tracks  with  pillars  of  fire.  He  came  not  to  destroy  life, 
but  to  save  it.  We  should  bear  in  mind  that  we  are  not  for  time,  but  for  eternity, 
and  in  the  future  life  we  shall  recognize  the  truth  that  cause  and  consequence  are 
eternally  linked  together.  Whilst  they  who  make  war,  will,  in  that  future  life, 
meet  with  those  they  have  sent  to  their  account  imperfectly  developed — whilst 
they  who  have  caused,  not  alone  these  murders,  but  have  caused  the  cries  and 
curses  to  ascend  from  the  length  and  breath  of  the  Continent,  will  meet  those 
with  their  hearts  full  of  murder  and  hatred,  with  the  weapons  of  destruction  in 


FAREWELL    TO    ENGLAND.  263 

their  hands.  Men  like  Dr.  Newton  will  meet  with  those  whose  grateful  memories 
will  recognize  him  as  their  friend  and  benefactor,  and  I  am  sure  I  express  but 
feebly  the  sentiments  of  those  who  know  him.  When  he  goes  he  will  carry  with 
him  the  best  feelings  of  his  many  friends ;  and  if  he  returns  we  shall  meet  him 
with  the  same  cordiality  and  welcome.  But  whether  we  meet  him  again  on  earth 
or  not,  we  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  we  shall  meet  him  in  the  brighter 
land,  where  there  are  no  sorrows  of  parting,  no  sighing  or  grief.  WHierever  our 
friend  may  be,  we  feel  sure  that  he  will  ever  exhibit  that  earnestness  of  purpose 
which  he  has  hitherto  shown.  These  are  noble  qualities  of  the  soul,  and  con- 
stitute the  highest  life  ;  for  it  is  surely  the  very  life  of  God,  which  is  that  of  un- 
selfish good  and  beneficence.  I  know  I  express  the  feelings  of  all  here,  and  those 
unable  to  be  present,  when  I  wish  that  wherever  he  may  be,  in  whatever  circum- 
stances he  may  be  placed,  our  beloved  friend  maybe  the  joyous  recipient  of  every 
temporal  and  spiritual  blessing. 

Mr.  John  Jones,  of  Enmore  Park,  in  a  kindly  and  cordial  manner,  seconded 
the  resolution,  and  followed  with  some  interesting  remarks. 

Dr.  Newton  rose  to  reply,  and  it  was  some  time  before  he  could  proceed,  on 
account  of  the  storm  of  applause  with  which  he  was  received.  He  spoke  at  great 
length  with  much  power  and  clearness.  He  said,  my  heart  overflows  with  love 
to  you  all  ;  even  as  the  heart  of  a  father  to  his  children.  I  feel  deep  gratitude 
for  the  uniform  kindness  and  courtesy  shown  me  in  this  co  ir.try,  by  the  friends 
of  human  progress  and  reform,  and  for  their  hearty  co-operation  with  me  in  carry- 
ing on  the  work  which  I  came  to  accomplish,  and  for  numberless  acts  of  kindness 
dictated  by  personal  friendship  and  esteem.  I  feel  gratified  with  the  success  that 
has  attended  my  labors  here.  I  believe  it  has  been  even  greater  than  could  have 
been  expected.  I  earnestly  hope  that  much  good  seed  has  been  sown  otherwise, 
that  will  spring  up  and  bear  fruit. 

The  opposition  of  enemies,  will,  in  its  effects,  only  tend  toward  the  advance- 
ment of  the  glorious  truths  that  I  have  tried  to  teach  by  word  and  illustrate  by 
example,  inasmuch  as  it  will  draw  the  public  mind  to  them  and  stimulate  inquiry 
and  investi-gation.  I  was  told  by  my  spirit-friends,  before  I  left  America,  of  this 
opposition ;  hence  I  was  not  entirely  unprepared  for  it.  If  I  had  said  nothing 
about  my  religious  views,  I  might  in  a  measure  have  escaped  it.  But  I  try  to  be 
a  consistent  Christian,  and  I  am  not  ashamed  to  declare  my  religion  to  the  world. 
I  want  it  understood  that  I  believe  in  the  ministry  of  angels  and  spirits  ;  and  that 
I  heal  through  the  power  of  God.  For  this  I  may  be  censured,  but  no  man  can 
lift  his  arm  without  the  power  of  God,  and  God  works  through  the  mediumship 
of  angels  and  spirits. 

There  never  was  a  great  work  on  the  earth  that  had  not  spirit  power  as  the 
source  of  it.  Poets,  philosophers,  statesmen,  are  mediums  ;  and  Jesus  was  the 
greatest  medium  of  all,  and  hence  was  called  the  Mediator — the  medium  between 
God  and  man. 

If  we  are  unfolded  in  the  principle  of  love  and  truth,  we  all  can  become  me- 
diums in  one  form  or  another.  This  principle  we  can  receive  by  becoming  like 
little  children. 

Jesus  was  the  embodiment  of  love,  and  we  should  all  strive  to  become  like 


264  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

him.  He  is  our  Saviour  as  far  as  we  follow  his  teachings.  All  men  can  be 
saviours  by  uplifting  the  fallen,  reclaiming  the  erring,  and  instilling  the  Christ- 
principle  in  the  human  heart. 

He  deprecated  making  an  idol  of  the  Bible,  and  worshipping  the  letter,  which 
killeth. 

"  Worship  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  which  giveth  life  and  light."  In  countries 
where  even  the  name  of  Christ  has  never  been  heard,  men  have  communicated 
with  the  spirit-world,  and  carried  out  the  principles-  of  love,  justice,  and  truth  in 
their  lives,  and  are  as  good  Christians  as  those  who  worship  in  the  sanctuary. 
The  churches  will  have  to  take  in  this  spiritual  religion  or  fall,  for  in  this  age  of 
intelligence,  men  will  not  be  terrified  by  an  angry  God  and  burning  hell.  Let  us 
press  on  with  these  truths  till  the  whole  world  is  converted  to  them. 

And  now  I  shall  soon  depart  from  you,  but  I  leave  you  my  benediction,  my 
blessing,  and  my  love.  And  I  pray  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Father  may  be  with  you 
to  bless  and  guide  you,  and  not  only  you,  but  all  the  people  of  this  city,  and  all 
the  people  of  this  country,  and  of  the  whole  world,  and  also  those  who  have 
passed  away  to  spirit-life. 

Mr.  J.  Burns,  of  the  Progressive  Library,  said  :  I  have  claimed  the  privi- 
lege of  saying  a  few  words  on  this  occasion.  *  *  *  Dr.  Newton  is 
generally  recognized  as  a  Healer ;  but  I  look  upon  him  as  a  teacher  also.  What 
has  he  taught  us  ?  He  has  pointed  out  the  true  Science  of  Man — that  man  is  a 
spiritual  being,  operating  through  a  physical  organism,  and  that  the  spiritual 
man  is  a  primary  subject  of  all  education  and  care.  .He  has  illustrated' the  great 
truth  of  medical  science — that  all  physic  should  be  applied  to  the  spiritual  prin- 
ciple within  the  organism,  and  not  to  the  external  machine,  as  is  the  case  with 
popular  medical  science,  falsely  so  called.  Dr.  Newton,  by  his  practice,  has  shown 
the  truthfulness  of  the  spiritual  theory  of  medicine,  and  the  murderous  fatality 
of  that  barbarous  practice  which  poisoned,  maimed  and  tortured  those  unfortunate 
persons  who  happened  to  be  sick. 

Our  good  friend  has  also  taught  us  divine  truth.  The  popular  notion  was 
that  God  was  afar  off,  and  had  to  be  propitiated  and  approached  by  much  wor- 
ship, lip-service  and  penitential  humility.  Dr.  Newton  has  given  the  whole  sys- 
tem of  divinity  in  one  sentence,  and  made  it  clear  that  the  man  who  loved  truth 
and  his  fellow-men,  so  as  to  apply  that  truth  for  the  welfare  of  others,  at  once 
worked  with  God,  and  God  in  and  through  him.  The  Doctor  taught  that  God 
was  the  Father  of  all — nearer  and  dearer  than  any  relation  in  life,  and  that  we 
may  at  all  times  do  His  will  and  His  work  in  proportion  to  our  capacity.  Dr. 
Newton  was  also  an  exponent  of  theological  truth ;  by  his  experience  he  proved 
that  to  take  the  good  and  great  who  had  gone  before  us  to  our  bosoms  like 
brothers  was  far  better  than  to  set  them  up  and  worship  them  as  gods. 

A  leading  subject  taught  by  the  Doctor  was  social  truth,  by  which  all  man- 
kind might  form  one  glorious  happy  family,  if  they  only  loved  one  another.  This 
love  could  be  passed  from  one  to  another  like  any  other  substance,  and  even 
transported  to  great  distances  ;  and  this  showed  the  great  wealth  of  human 
nature,  and  the  benefits  which  they  might  bestow  on  each  other  by  healing  their 
diseases  and  harmonizing  their  natures. 


FAREWELL   TO   ENGLAND.  265 

Spiritual  truth  was  also  taught  by  Dr.  Newton.  We  could  benefit  or  injure 
spirits  as  well  as  mortals,  and  the  spirit-world  with  this  earth-life  formed  one 
great  unity,  from  which  we  could  be  dissociated.  We  could  co-operate  with 
spirits,  and  spirits  with  us,  according  to  oui  ability  to  reciprocate  influences  with 
them. 

But  the  crowning  feature  of  Dr.  Newton's  teachings  was  his  fearless  open- 
ness and  thorough  candor.  He  might  have  come  and  practiced  amongst  us,  and 
worn  the  mask  of  hypocrisy  with  which  men  usually  conceal  their  real  thoughts 
and  opinions  from  their  fellows — like  too  many  amongst  us,  he  might  have  thus 
lived  a  lie,  and  yet  been  more  highly  respected  by  the  worldly  than  he  is  now  for 
his  honesty.  When  he  went  to  the  Unitarian  people  to  heal,  he  might  have 
been  a  Unitarian,  and  when  he  went  to  the  Calvinist,  he  might  have  been  a 
Calvinist,  and  thus  have  ministered  to  the  errors  and  egotism  of  the  many.  But 
Dr.  Newton,  like  an  honest  man,  scorned  such  a  paltry  course.  He  openly 
avowed  the  truth  as  it  appeared  to  him,  at  the  expense  of  cherished  friendships 
and  public  approbation.  It  was  hard  of  him,  no  doubt,  to  come  to  London, 
demolish  the  respectable  idols  venerated  by  the  spiritually  blind,  and  point  out 
the  everlasting  divine  principles  of  the  spiritual  God  which  underlie  all  things. 
In  doing  so  Dr.  Newton  had  achieved  his  greatest  work. 

This  age  does  not  want  Spiritualists — believers  in  this  or  that — but  men, 
honest  men,  who  will  dare  to  appear  what  they  are,  and  scorn  to  wear  a  mask 
of  hypocrisy  and  conventional  deceit.  The  world  is  sadly  in  want  of  martyrs. 
We  have  many  bold  champions  of  truth  amongst  us,  if  it  is  respectable  and  will 
pay.  Dr.  Newton  followed  no  such  tactics ;  he  dared  to  outrage  the  inane  re- 
spectability of  the  period,  and  at  an  expense  of  several  hundred  pounds  to  him- 
self. Spiritualism  is  not  only  the  greatest  fact  in  human  existence,  but  the  lead- 
ing idea  of  the  time.  I  have  travelled  much  with  Dr.  Newton  this  summer,  and 
addressed  thousands  of  people,  and  I  am  practically  certain  that  Spiritualism  is 
spreading  at  a  very  rapid  rate,  and  never  so  surely  and  steadily  as  now. 

Dr.  Newton  has  said  that  his  influence  can  go  out  and  benefit  every  one  in  this 
country,  more  or  less.  This  is  no  myth  or  idle  superstition,  but  in  accordance 
with  the  known  laws  of  mind  and  biological  influence.  I  have  tested  this  fact 
for  myself.  When  I  first  went  to  the  provinces  with  Dr.  Newton,  we  necessarily 
received  calls  from  such  places  as  were  most  advanced  in  Spiritualism,  and  more 
recently  from  places  where  Spiritualism  was  comparatively  unknown  ;  yet  the 
opposition  has  sensibly  diminished,  and  there  is  an  influence  at  work  which 
more  and  more  moulds  the  minds  of  the  people,  and,  as  it  were,  "  Newtonizes  " 
them.  The  speaker  concluded  by  thanking  the  audience  for  their  kind  attention 
to  his  remarks,  after  so  many  able  speakers  had  preceded  him. 

The  proceedings  were  enlivened  by  the  singing  of  Mrs.  Hicks,  who  in  a  very 
tasteful  manner  sang  a  number  of  favorite  songs  between  the  speeches,  accom* 
panied  on  the  piano  by  her  husband,  Mr.  James  Hicks,  the  celebrated  accom- 
panyist. 

After  much  pleasant  intercourse.  Dr.  Newton  bade  an  affectionate  adieu  to  his 
friends.  Our  prayer  is  that  his  mission  may  be  abundantly  successful,  and  that 
we  may  before  long  see  his  face  in  London  again. 


266  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

The  journal  from  which  we  have  quoted  so  extensively  closes 
its  record  of  Dr.  Newton's  doings  with  the  following  remarks  : — 

By  the  time  this  article  is  read  by  the  public,  Dr.  Newton  will  have  nearly 
traversed  the  great  breadth  of  ocean  which  separates  his  country  from  ours.  We 
do  not  know  any  one  connected  with  Spiritualism  who  has  left  our  shores  bearing 
more  kindly  regrets  from  the  many  friends  remaining  behind  than  has  Dr.  New- 
ton. His  unbounded  disinterestedness  and  the  great  value  of  his  work  are  more 
apparent  now  that  he  has  gone  ;  and,  as  the  facts  given  by  Miss  Wathen  show, 
his  works  follow  him.  For  many  weeks  the  Medium  has  been  a  steady  record 
of  Dr.  Newton's  doings  and  healings,  presenting  an  array  of  facts  establishing 
the  existence  of  the  healing  power  such  as,  in  this  country  at  least,  has  never  be- 
fore been  witnessed.  Such  a  long  narration  of  similar  cases  may  have  excited 
the  impatience  of  some,  but  to  the  real  well-wisher  of  man  and  the  true  Spiritual 
philosopher  these  cures  are  of  the  deepest  significance.  Placing  them  all  side 
by  side,  we  have  instances  of  this  wonderful  healing  power  being  exercised  suc- 
cessfully in  a  great  variety  of  diseases,  on  patients  of  different  ages,  under  diver- 
sified circumstances,  and  thus  proving  by  actual  experiment  the  real  effects  and 
scope  of  this  healing  agency.  The  advanced  science  of  the  future  will  yet  thank 
the  humble  gatherers  of  apparently  insignificant  pebbles  on  the  shore  of  Truth, 
and  polish  them  and  set  them  in  their  true  relation  to  each  other  and  to  the  great 
laws  which  rule  human  life. 

It  was  Dr.  Newton's  intention  to  have  visited  Southern  Europe  and  Syria 
this  winter,  but  the  serious  state  of  affairs  on  the  Continent  precluded  that  idea 
from  being  carried  out.  Then  it  was  eagerly  desired  by  the  inhabitants  of  some 
of  the  principal  cities  in  this  country  that  he  should  visit  them  for  a  season. 
This  desire  Dr.  Newton  met  in  a  great  degree  by  his  Sunday  excursions ;  but 
having  remained  in  this  country  as  long  as  he  at  first  determined,  he  was  guided 
by  the  influences  which  projected  his  visit  and  all  its  arrangements  to  retire  for  a 
season,  just  as  he  was  beginning  to  be  known  and  his  merits  appreciated. 


We  cannot  lay  down  our  pen  without  referring  to  the  kind  and  generous  way 
in  which  Dr.  Newton  conducted  himself  amongst  us.  He  literally  healed  "  with- 
out money  and  without  price,"  as  no  compulsory  fee  was  imposed  on  any  one 
who  chose  to  call  on  him.  Dr.  Newton's  expressed  regret  was  that  his  want  of 
income  compelled  him  to  desist  from  the  habitual  acts  of  benevolence  which  were 
a  constant  feature  of  his  life  in  the  United  States.  Dr.  Newton  has  bestowed 
thousands  of  pounds  in  acts  of  charity  and  philanthrophy ;  and  to  be  for 
a  time  denied  such  a  pleasure  is  a  great  hardship  to  those  who  are  capable  of 
feeling  the  wants  of  the  poor  and  needy.  But  Dr.  Newton  was  liberal  and  open- 
handed  to  all.  His  practice  was  to  pay  whatever  was  demanded  of  him,  to  make 
all  the  better  for  coming  in  contact  with  him,  and  often  to  bestow  gratuities  in 
food  and  money  upon  his  poorer  patients.  He  never  realized  one  farthing  out 
of  his  public  healings,  nor  did  he  endeavor  to  mend  his  fortune  by  accepting  par- 
tial fees  from  the  moderately  circumstanced,  or  by  taking  the  pittances  of  the 


FAREWELL   TO    ENGLAND  26/ 

poor.  His  visit  to  this  country  cost  him  several  hundred  pounas,  lor  which  he 
expressed  his  gratitude  by  saying,  "Thank  God,  I  can  do  so."  No  one  ever 
heard  a  hard  word,  a  retaliative  expression  from  his  lips.  He  forgave  all, 
knowing  that  they  "  did  as  well  as  they  knew  how."  What  a  sublime  philoso- 
phy, and  what  a  deep  faith  in  the  God  within  humanity ! 

We  saw  much  of  Dr,  Newton  in  all  situations,  and  viewing  him  in  every  as- 
pect, we  unhesitatingly  declare  that  the  world  has  seen  but  few  men  possessed 
of  such  rare  and  lovable  qualities.  His  unsophisticated  openness,  childlike 
trust,  quenchless  hope,  cheerful  spirit,  deep  affection  and  devotion  to  human 
welfare,  exhaustless  energy  and  activity  ;  his  manliness  and  self-respect,  profound 
love  of  truth  and  religious  feeling,  clairvoyance  and  consciousness  of  spirit-pres- 
ence, with  his  wonderful  and  beneficent  power  of  healing — make  up  a  charac- 
ter which  would  do  credit  to  the  whole  procession  of  gods  and  chieftains  which 
have  appropriated  the  devotion  of  mankind  for  thousands  of  years.  In  our  age 
and  country  we  see  the  religious  millions  worshipping  a  man  of  the  past  as  very 
God,  when  the  assumed  qualities  which  distinguished  that  man's  divinity  are  be- 
fore their  very  eyes  at  the  present  day,  and  yet  they  perceive  it  not.  And  so  it 
was  with  the  spiritual  philanthrophist  of  1800  years  ago.  His  countrymen  were 
blind  to  good,  and  so  could  see  no  good  in  him,  but  shouted  "  Crucify  him,  cru- 
cify him  ! " 

The  great  want  of  mankind  is  to  be  able  to  discern  the  Father-God  in  their 
brothers  and  sisters  of  the  day  in  which  we  live.  We  press  this  thought  upon 
the  attention  of  our  readers  as  the  great  essential  of  practical  theology  which 
would  operate  to  make  men  respect  themselves,  love  their  neighbor,  and  put  an 
end  to  all  injustice,  w^ar,  and  individual  degradation.  We  do  not  require  that 
men  be  made  gods,  but  that  God  may  be  revealed  to  our  consciousness  and  be 
recognized  in  men.  To  bring  about  this  desirable  result,  mankind  must  not  rob 
the  whole  race  of  goodness  and  virtue  at  the  dictum  of  a  barbarous  theology, 
and  heap  it  upon  an  ideal  personage  whose  assigned  position  places  him  above 
such  compliments.  How  can  men  expect  to  appreciate  the  spiritual  heroes  of 
the  past  when  they  are  blind  to  the  same  qualities  as  expressed  to-day  in  the  lives 
and  acts  of  their  neighbors  ?  Is  it  not  of  great  importance  that  the  religious  sen- 
timents of  society  should  be  periodically  subjected  to  rigid  examination  and  ne- 
cessary revision  !  Such  sentiments  are  an  act  of  the  human  mind,  which  is  not 
infallible,  and  hence  capable  of  unlimited  improvement.  The  advocates  of 
stereotyped  ideas  are  the  most  implacable  enemies  of  religion,  for  they  prevent 
it  from  keeping  pace  with  the  other  departments  of  mental  action,  and  thus  de- 
stroy its  power  by  bringing  it  into  ridiculous  contrast  with  other  subjects  which 
are  permitted  to  progress  with  human  experience. 

In  regard  to  his  visit  to  and  experience  in  England,  Dr.  Newton 
furnishes  the  following  interesting  observations  : — 

"  I  was  received  with  much  cordiality,  and  during  my  entire  stay  was  treated 
with  the  most  marked  respect  and  kindness  by  my  friends  and  all  those  interested 
in  reform  and  in  the  amelioration  of  human  ills.    James  Burns,  Esq.,  editor  of 


268  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

the  Medium  and  Daybreak,  aided  me  much,  both  by  his  able  pen  and  his  public 
lectures.  W.  H.  Harrison,  Editor  of  the  Spirittialist,  published  from  week  to 
week,  lengthy  accounts  of  my  progress  and  work.  To  Rev.  Dr.  Jabez  Burns, 
and  Rev.  F.  R.  Young,  to  Benj.  Coleman,  William  White,  N.  F.  Daw,  Dr. 
William  Evans,  William  Tebb,  Thomas  B.  Shorter,  James  Wason,  Esq.,  of 
Liverpool,  and  many  others,  I  am  largely  indebted  for  much  kindness  and  earnest 
efforts  to  promote  my  labors. 

"Dr.  Jabez  Burns,  although  belonging  to  a  class  of  religious  teachers 
strongly  sectarian  in  point  of  belief,  had  nevertheless  cultivated  a  freedom  of 
thought  and  broad  liberality  that  harmonizes  differences  of  creed,  and  embraces 
all  God's  creatures  in  one  common  bond  of  brotherhood.  It  enabled  him  to  say 
to  his  brother  worker,  of  whatever  sect  or  creed  :  '  I  greet  you,  my  brother,  and 
welcome  you  to  the  ranks  of  workers  for  humanity,  and  I  give  you  my  strong 
right  hand  of  support' 

"  His  fearlessness  in  upholding  the  truth  against  a  strong  tide  of  opposition, 
was  truly  praiseworthy.  He  not  only  opened  his  chapel  for  my  occupancy,  but 
remained  steadfast  as  my  friend  and  support,  when  family  after  family  to  the 
number  6f  eighteen  withdrew  from  his  church  because  their  holy  temple  was 
desecrated  by  my  sacrilegious  practice  of  healing  the  sick  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands,  as  some  were  pleased  to  term  it.  His  course  was  prompted  not  only  by 
only  by  his  humanitarian  and  benevolent  views  and  feelings,  but  by  a  sincere 
belief  in  the  healing  power  and  a  desire  that  it  might  become  more  widely  known 
and  appreciated.  With  the  spirit  of  the  true  Christian  hero  he  stood  in  its  de- 
fence against  the  attacks  of  its  enemies.  He  has  since  passed  to  the  higher  life, 
but  the  influence  of  his  noble  spirit,  and  high  Christian  character  remains  in  the 
hearts  of  all  who  knew  and  loved  him. 

"  Rev.  F.  R.  Young  manifested  equal  independence  of  spirit  and  action.  To 
him  I  am  greatly  indebted  for  the  cordial  reception  I  received  at  Swindon.  His 
own  wonderful  cure,  the  facts  of  which  all  his  people  were  familiar  with,  and  his 
success  thereafter  in  treating  disease,  had  brought  the  healing  question  before 
his  parish  and  the  public  ;  and  though  at  first  he  had  encountered  opposition,  he 
had  met  his  adversaries  nobly,  and  so  far  triumphed  that  the  majority  looked 
favorably  upon  the  mode  of  cure  he  had  introduced  among  them.  The  follow- 
ing is  an  extract  from  a  lengthy  article  written  by  Mr.  Young  and  published  in 
the  North  Wilts  Herald,  of  Swindon,  in  1868.  It  shows  him  undaunted  by  op- 
position, I  nd  smayed  by  abuse,  and  strong  in  an  unquenchable  faith.     He  writes  : 

"  '  I  have  been  assailed,  in  the  vilest  and  most  outrageous  manner,  by  certain 
parties  in  this  neighborhood,  who  have  imputed  to  me  motives  so  base  and  ex- 
tremely abominable,  that,  had  they  not  been  expressed  in  set  terms  and  on  paper, 
I  could  not  have  supposed  could  have  occurred  to  any  sane  mind.  I  am  just  now 
thinking  of  two  or  three  newspaper  letters  in  particular  which  have  appeared  in 
the  columns  of  the  Swindon  Advertiser,  *  *  *  But  none  of  these 
will  ever  move  me  to  discontinue  this  work,  as  long  as  God  is  pleased  to  enable 
me  to  do  it.  "  The  disciple  is  not  above  his  Master,  nor  the  servant  above  his 
Lord.  It  is  enough  for  the  disciple  that  he  be  as  his  Master,  and  the  servant  as 
his  Lord.     If  they  have  called  the  Master  of  the  house  Beelzebub,  how  much 


FAREWELL  TO  ENGLAND.  269 

more  shall  they  call  them  of  his  household?  Fear  them  not  therefore"  (10 
Matt.  25  and  26  v.).  I  fear  God,  but  I  do  not  fear  any  one  else;  and  as  long  as 
I  am  conscious  of  being  in  the  path  of  duty  marked  out  for  me  by  Him,  it  will 
not  lie  in  the  power  of  any  man  on  earth  to  make  me  afraid.  I  am  not  a  medical 
man,  nor  do  I  make  any  pretensions  to  the  possession  of  enlarged  medical  or  surgi- 
cal knowedge.  Nor  am  I  a  quack,  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  that  term.  Indeed, 
my  whole  public  life  has  been  one  consistent  protest  against  quackery  of  every 
kind  and  degree.  But  I  should  be  a  traitor  to  the  Sovereign  of  my  life,  and  be- 
tray my  duty  to  my  fellow-creatures,  if  I  were  to  give  way  to  the  opposition 
which  I  have  so  innocently  invoked,  and  which  is  trying  to  silence  my  tongue  and 
stop  the  exercise  of  my  hands.  I  will  not  be  silenced,  nor  will  I  be  stopped, 
unless  God  Himself  interfere  to  silence  or  stop  me. 

"  This  spirit  of  bigotry  I  found  existing  to  a  greater  extent  in  England  than 
in  America,  a  natural  result,  no  doubt,  of  the  lack  of  universal  education.  The 
false  reports  and  gross  misrepresentations  of  one  or  two  public  journals,  also 
operated  against  me  in  my  work. 

*'  Then  the  English  mind  moves  slowly.  It  is  naturally  critical,  skeptical,  in- 
clined to  weigh  everything  carefully,  study  it  profoundly,  understand  the  work- 
ings of  cause  and  effect,  before  it  will  receive  or  approve  any  new  theory  or 
practice.  The  Britisher  holds  me  at  arm's  length,  views  me  with  a  critical  eye, 
and  says  :  *  I  see  the  lame  made  to  walk,  and  the  blind  to  see.  I  do  not  dis- 
believe my  senses.  Is  it  the  juggler's  feat,  or  Satan's  work  ?  Will  it  last  ?  Ex- 
plain /low  it  is  done,  and  I  will  believe.' 

"  My  countryman  says,  after  I  touch  the  contracted  or  painful  limb :  '  I  feel 
better,'  while  the  Englishman,  though  he  walks  off  with  his  crutches  on  his 
shoulders,  says :     *  Thank  God,  I'm  no  worse.' 

"  All  these  things  tend  to  discourage  a  healer  and  actually  lessen  his  power 
for  the  time.  In  place  of  a  cavilling,  skeptical  spirit,  let  there  be  faith  and  hope, 
and  unquestioning  confidence, — a  bond  of  love  and  sympathy  between  healer  and 
people, — and  in  nearly  every  case  the  effect  is  marvellous.  When  all  are  ready 
to  receive  the  gift,  it  comes  with  power. 

"  Yet  I  feel  satisfied  with  the  success  of  my  labors  in  England.  My  mission 
was  not  only  to  heal  the  sick,  but  to  show  the  people  that  others  possessed  the 
power  which  should  be  developed  and  put  to  use  for  the  benefit  of  the  sick  and 
suffering.  This  latter  purpose  I  accomplished  as  well  as  the  former,  and  I  am 
happy  to  believe  that  I  not  only  carried  the  balm  of  healing  to  many,  but  raised 
up  healers  to  carry  on  the  work,  and  also  roused  up  the  English  mind  on  sub- 
jects of  practical  importance  and  interest,  and  started  a  spirit  of  inquiry  that  must 
result  in  good." 


270  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

and  Daybreak^  after  the  lapse  of  five  years,  (July  16,  1875),  is  here 
appended  : — 

"  HEAL  THE  SICK." 

Five  years  have  passed  away  since  Dr.  Newton  was  in  London.  He  came 
as  an  apostle  to  revive  an  old  faith,  and  to  give  the  true  meaning  to  the  words  of 
Jesus,  who  knew  the  possibilities  of  man,  and  throughout  his  life  exemplified 
them.  Not  the  least  of  his  commands  was  "  Heal  the  sick."  For  ages  the  pro- 
found meaning  of  those  words  seems  to  have  died  out,  for  they  have  come  to  be 
interpreted,  "  Physic  the  sick,"  thus  reducing  the  question  to  one  of  pills,  mix- 
tures, lotions,  salves,  depletions,  and  all  the  well-known  resources  of  medical 
science.  Without  wishing  to  depreciate  the  results  achieved  by  modern  medi- 
cine, it  may  be  fairly  questioned  whether  these  were  the  means  prospectively 
presented  to  that  grand  intuitional  mind.  And  certainly,  the  absence  of  what  are 
known  as  medical  paraphernalia  is  conspicuous  in  the  life  of  Him  "  who  went 
about  doing  good."  The  only  thing  in  his  pharmacopoeia  that  we  remember  is 
that  of  moistened  "  clay,"  which  singularly  enough  has  quite  recently  been  found 
to  be  a  most  effective  remedy  in  certain  affections.  The  words,  "  Heal  the  sick," 
ring  with  a  spiritual  sound,  indicating  a  spiritual  power,  which,  rightly  exercised, 
would  be  omnipotent  to  allay  the  ills  of  life.  Faith  in  such  power,  however, 
seems  to  have  died  out  as  civilization  has  advanced.  The  onslaught  of  modern 
materialism  has  quenched  it.  There  is  far  less  of  this  faith  now  than  during 
even  the  middle  ages  in  their  so-called  darkness.  It  is  curious  to  observe  the 
greater  importance  attached  to  mental  and  moral  conditions  in  the  prescriptions 
of  olden  times.  Laughed  to  scorn  as  these  are  by  the  materialistic  physician  of 
to-day,  there  is  nevertheless  a  great  truth  underlying  those  old  formulas.  Truth 
never  can  wholly  depart.  It  may  for  a  time,  a  generation,  my,  an  age,  be  over- 
laid by  error,  but  it  must  and  will  reassert  itself.  Therefore,  down  along  the 
centuries  the  truth  that  lies  concealed  in  the  words  we  have  quoted  has  been  pre- 
served. What  is  it?  Simply  that,  associated  with  the  spiritual  organization  of 
man,  there  is  a  supermundane  power  to  curb,  to  check,  to  rectify  those  physical 
evils  which  ever  and  anon  in  a  world  like  this  befall  us.  In  short,  it  may  be  said 
that  as  most,  if  not  all,  the  ills  of  life  have  a  spiritual  origin,  there  is  provided  the 
spiritual  cure.  In  sickness  the  auras  of  existence  are  deranged,  and  these  auras 
must  be  set  right — not  by  poisonous  drugs,  but  pre-eminently  by  bringing  into 
equilibriated  action  the  vital  currents  that  flow  within  and  around  us.  We  take 
it  this  was  the  kind  of  healing  proposed  and  commanded  by  the  Great  Teacher. 

But  the  power  to  doit!  It  went,  says  the  Church,  like  everything  that  was 
good  and  useful  for  humanity,  with  the  closing  of  the  apostolic  age.  A  poor  com- 
pliment to  pay  the  Almighty  Father  of  the  then  unborn  hundreds  of  millions  of 
the  human  race  !  Say  we,  the  power,  like  the  command,  is  eternal  in  the  nature 
of  things.  And  there  never  has  been  a  generation  of  men  pass  away  since  those 
words  were  uttered  that  has  not  borne  evidence  of  it  in  some  form  or  other. 

It  was  Dr.  Newton's  mission  to  restore  the  lost  faith  by  marvellous  mani- 
festations of  that  power.     The  "  heavens  being  opened,"  and  the  spirituality  of 


FAREWELL    TO    ENGLAND.  2/1 

human  existence  being  palpably  demonstrated,  the  healing  power  has  become  rec- 
ognized as  one  of  the  most  potent  features  of  the  new  era.  And  no  one  will 
question  its  vast  importance.  The  healing  prophet  having  arisen,  healing  dis- 
ciples, brought  to  a  consciousness  of  their  powers,  have  cropped  up  all  around. 
Many  have  been  the  pangs  assuaged,  many  the  comforts  brought  to  the  sick- 
bed, many  the  diseases  that  have  taken  to  themselves  wings,  and  many  have  been 
the  calm  hours  brought  to  the  dying  by  the  simple  laying-on  of  hands,  which  has 
found  no  boastful  record  in  the  pages  of  medical  journals,  but  has  been  a  quiet 
work  in  the  homes  of  the  people. 

A  question  may  be  submitted  for  reflection  whether  some  kind  of  organization 
may  not  be  available  for  developing  these  mediumistic  powers,  and  for  extending 
their  kindly  benefits  to  the  community.  We  think  it  may.  Without  any  in- 
vidious predilection  as  regards  the  now  large  class  of  healers,  we  may  perhaps 
take  the  work  which  has  been  done  by  Mr.  Ashman,  in  connection  with  his  Psy- 
chopathic Institution,  as  an  example  of  the  possible  outcome  of  co-operative 
effort  in  that  direction.  Upon  Mr.  Ashman  the  mantle  of  Dr.  Newton  seems  to 
have  fallen,  and  the  work  he  has  alone  done  has  been  by  no  means  insignificant. 
During  the  five  years,  we  are  informed,  he  has  personally  attended  about  ten 
thousand  times  upon  the  sick  in  the  exercise  of  this  healing  power.  Of  the 
beneficial  results  in  a  great  variety  of  diseases  abundant  testimony  is  forthcoming* 
With  faith  in  his  work,  faith  in  his  own  powers,  and  inspired  with  the  love  of  his 
fellows,  he  has  earned  for  this  higher  method  of  medical  treatment  a  high  reputa- 
tion. So  many  have  flocked  to  him  to  be  cured  that  he  has  been  compelled  to 
employ  the  services  of  others  to  help  him,  and  this  at  no  little  expense.     *    *    * 

R.  Linton. 


2/2  THE   MODERN    BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

AGAIN    IN    AMERICA. 

Dr  Newton  re-opens  his  Office  in  Boston  — Remarkable  Cure  of  Blindness. — Cure  of  Con- 
gestion of  the  Lungs. — Letter  of  Gratitude. — List  of  notable  Cures. — Remarkable 
Cure  of  Lameness  and  Spinal  Injury. — "  Who  did  this  ?  " — Conversation  with  an  aged 
Clergyman. — Another  List  of  Cures. — Restoration  of  a  supposed  Dying  Man. — In- 
stant Cure  of  Lumbar  Abscess, — Testimony  of  Hon.  S.  J.  Finney. — Visit  to  Califor- 
nia.— Healing  in  San  Francisco. — Testimony  of  the  Evening  Post. — List  of  noted 
Cures. — Work  in  Sacramento. — Healing  by  Magnetized  Letters.— Another  List  of  re- 
markable Cures, — Return  to  the  East. — Locates  at  Yonkers-on-the-Hudson. — More 
Marvellous  Cases. 

Soon  after  his  return  from  Europe,  that  is,  in  October,  1870, 
Dr.  Newton  re-opened  the  office  formerly  occupied  by  him  in 
Boston,  at  No.  35  Harrison  Avenue.  He  had  been  absent  about 
six  months,  and  was  most  cordially  welcomed  by  his  friends,  while 
his  return  was  hailed  with  joy  and  hope  by  numerous  sufferers 
who  were  looking  to  him  for  relief.  He  remained  in  Boston 
nearly  two  years,  leaving  the  city  only  on  brief  excursions  to  some 
neighboring  city  or  State,  usually  by  invitation,  for  the  purpose  of 
healing.  The  subjoined  testimonies  will  give  some  idea  of  the  suc- 
cess which  continued  to  attend  his  labors  during  this  period  : — 

From  the  Banner  of  Lights  June,  187 1  : — 

REMARKABLE  CURE  BY  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

One  of  the  most  rapid  and  wonderful  exhibitions  of  the  curative  force  cen- 
tered in  Dr.  Newton,  the  well-known  healer,  took  place  at  his  rooms,  No.  35 
Harrison  avenue,  Boston,  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  May  25th.  We  publish 
the  facts  of  the  case  as  received  by  us  from  the  lady  upon  whom  the  operation  was 
performed,  that  others  suffering  from  a  like  hopeless  affliction  may  know  that 
there  is  yet  "  balm  in  Gilead,"  and  that  another  example  of  good  works  from 
"demons  "  {vide  Elder  Knapp)  may  be  put  on  record. 


AGAIN    IN    AMERICA.  2/3 

On  Tuesday  evening,  April  25th,  at  about  half-past  eight  o'clock,  as  Mrs. 
Mary  Ward  Wellman,  of  Stoughton,  Mass.,  was  passing  from  the  millinery  store 
of  Mrs.  Ames  to  the  post  office  of  said  town,  she  was  assaulted  by  several  per- 
sons in  female  attire,  who  accosted  her  with  "  Good  evening  "  ;  and  when  she, 
thinking  she  knew  them,  replied,  they  separated,  and  coming  up  on  both 
sides  of  her,  exclaimed,  "  Ah,  Mrs,  Ames  !  you  had  a  fine  opening — we  will  see 
about  the  closing  ! "  They  then  seized  upon  the  cloud  which  she  wore,  and 
thus  momentarily  confining  her  head,  they  threw  into  her  face,  especially  upon 
her  eyes,  an  unknown  acidiferous  compound — by  some  supposed  to  be  vitriol — 
which  had  the  effect  of  instantly  paralyzing  her  eyelids  and  apparently  destroy- 
ing her  sight  forever.  She  tried  to  tell  them  they  were  mistaken — that  she  was 
not  the  one  they  sought ;  but  they  were  too  quick  for  her.     They  then  escaped. 

For  a  month  she  suffered  the  tortures  of  mind  and  body  incident  to  a  loss  of 
eye-sight  in  this  busy  world.  She  never  expected  to  see  again,  and  was  utterly 
at  a  loss  to  whom  to  attribute  the  dastardly  outrage.  She  was  comparatively  a 
stranger  in  Stoughton,  could  not  imagine  any  enemy  she  had  who  would  have 
performed  the  act,  and  therefore  concluded  that  she  was  really  mistaken  for 
some  other  person.  She  continued  blind  and  unable  to  open  her  eyes  till  the 
morning  of  May  25th,  when  she  visited  Dr.  Newton  at  his  rooms  hoping  for  aid. 
She  was  encouraged  to  apply,  from  the  fact  that,  a  few  days  previously,  a  lady 
friend  of  hers  had  called  on  the  Doctor,  and  had  received  from  him  a  bandage 
to  be  applied  to  her  (Mrs.  Wellman's)  eyes.  On  giving  it  the  Doctor  said  the 
patient  would  be  able  on  wearing  it  to  see  for  a  brief  time,  and  that,  as  it  were, 
scales  would  fall  from  her  eyes,  but  that  a  cure  could  not  be  effected  without 
personal  treatment.  The  bandage  was  made  use  of,  and  resulted  as  the  Doctor 
had  said.  The  lady  friend  did  not,  however,  tell  the  patient  what  had  been  said 
about  the  "scales"  coming  from  her  eyes.  Mrs.  Wellman  was  able  to  have  a 
glimmering  vision  of  a  chair  which  stood  near  her,  and  then  said,  "  Why !  I  am 
rubbing  something  out  of  my  eyes."  She  seemed  very  much  astonished  at  this 
unexpected  phenomenon,  which  her  friend  (then  present)  remembered  that  Dr. 
N.  had  predicted. 

Encouraged  by  this,  Mrs.  Wellman  decided  on  trying  a  personal  treatment  . 
visited  Boston  in  company  with  the  same  lady  friend,  and  at  an  early  hour  on 
the  morning  of  May  25th  found  herself  in  the  reception  room  of  Dr.  Newton. 
A  lady  patient  who  had  come  some  four  hundred  miles  to  be  treated  by  him  for 
partial  blindness  and  other  troubles,  and  who  had  had  an  examination  on  the 
previous  day,  (and  who  was  cured  by  the  second  treatment.  May  25th,)  was  the 
first,  according  to  the  list  (the  regular  plan  being  to  admit  patients  to  his  office 
by  numbers  given  by  his  clerk);  but  the  Doctor  was  suddenly  seized  with  an  un- 
controllable power,  which  led  him  immediately  to  seek  the  presence  of  Mrs.  Well- 
man.  He  rushed  into  the  room  without  coat  or  morning  wrapper  on,  and  com- 
menced lightly  lifting  the  shades  she  wore  over  her  eyes.  She  supposed  it  might 
be  a  child's  hand,  as  she  had  heard  that  all  manner  of  patients  visited  the  Doctor, 
and  was  so  totally  blind  as  to  be  obliged  to  judge  only  by  the  sense  of  touch;  but, 
on  stretching  out  her  hand,  she  felt  the  arm  of  a  man,  and  said,  in  her  great  hope, 
"  //  this  Dr.  Newton  ? "     The  Doctor  made  no  reph>  but  with  a  sudden  and 

18 


2/4  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

violent  motion  disarranged  and  scattered  her  hair,  throwing  her  chignon  upon  the 
floor,  and  then  proceeded  to  make  rapid  passes  over  her  forehead  and  eyes,  at  the 
end  of  which  he  commanded,  "  Receive  my  spirit,  and  open  your  eyes  !  By  the 
spirit  of  the  living  God,  open  your  eyes !  "  He  led  her  to  the  centre  of  the  re- 
ception room,  where  there  were  some  twelve  persons  present  (who  will  testify  to 
the  truth  of  the  matter);  and  as  the  patient  slowly  and  questioningly  opened  her 
hitherto  paralyzed  lids  to  the  light,  he  told  her  to  read  from  a  book  he  presented ; 
and  she  who  for  four  weeks  had  not  clearly  seen  any  earthly  object,  read  to  him 
"  The  Landing  of  the  Pilgrims."  The  Doctor  then  told  her  to  look  out  of  the 
window  and  expose  her  eyes  to  the  strong  light  of  the  sun,  which  she  did.  He 
took  from  her  the  shades  she  had  worn,  telling  her  she  must  walk  in  the  street 
without  them  now ;  that  she  was  perfectly  well,  and  would  not  be  troubled  by  the 
shutting  of  her  eyes  again  till  they  closed  on  the  scenes  of  mortal  existence. 

This  cure,  the  Doctor  says,  was  even  to  him  performed  in  a  most  unusual 
manner,  and  outside  the  regular  form  through  which,  by  reason  of  the  great 
number  who  visit  him,  he  is  obliged  to  operate.  The  lady  was  a  perfect  stranger 
to  him. 

We  wish  the  whole  skeptical  world  could  have  sat  with  us  on  that  bright 
spring  morning,  and  heard,  as  we  did,  the  good  Methodist  sister,  as,  with  all  the 
enthusiasm  of  a  blasted  life  restored  and  re-dedicated  to  use,  she  poured  forth 
her  thanksgiving  for  her  cure,  and  blessed  Dr.  Newton  as  the  instrument  of  God  ; 
saying,  even,  that  the  miracles  of  Christ  were  not  more  wonderful  to  her  than  the 
cure  which  the  Doctor  had  wrought  on  her  :  "  Whereas  I  was  blind,  now  I  see  !  " 
John  Randolph,  of  Roanoke,  is  represented,  after  gazing  at  a  beautiful  sunrise  at 
the  Peaks  of  Otter,  in  Bedford  County,  Va.,  (five  thousand  three  hundred  and 
seven  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea),  as  turning  to  the  servant  who  accompanied 
him,  and  saying,  "Never  from  this  moment  believe  him  who  tells  you  there  is  no 
God !  "  But  to  the  mind  of  the  lover  of  the  human  race,  grander  than  Nature's 
sunrise  or  sunset  glory  are  demonstrations  like  these  of  the  existence  of  the  In- 
finite Soul,  where  the  wasted  fires  of  life  are  re-kindled,  where  the  lame  "  leap  as 
an  hart,"  where  the  "  deaf  ear  is  unstopped,"  and  "  them  that  are  bound  "  in  the 
fetters  of  disease  and  pain  and  darkness  revel  in  the  light  and  freedom  bestowed 
by  the  angels  and  their  instruments — the  glorious  children  of  one  common  Father.* 

From  the  same  paper  : — 

CURE  OF  CONGESTION   OF  THE  LUNGS. 

On  the  first  day  of  January,  187 1,  Miss  Lizzie  Cristy  (niece  of  Deacon  Moses 
Cristy,  of  Greenwich,  Conn.),  was  cured  of  congestion  of  the  lungs,  together  with 

*Mrs.  Fanny  J.  Ames,  of  Stoughton,  Mass.,  under  date  of  Jan.  2,  1876,  writes  to  the  editor  in 
relation  to  this  case,  as  follows  :— 

"  What  you  saw  in  the  Banner  (concerning  Mrs.  Wellman)  was  correct.  She  was  an  inmate 
of  my  family  at  the  time  of  the  occurrence.  I  went  to  Dr.  Newton  with  her.  He  opened  her 
eyes.  I  think  her  eyelids  were  paralyzed,  and  that  she  could  see  before  he  operated  on  them,  by 
holding  open  her  eyes,  not  otherwise."    *    ♦    *  F.  J.  AMES. 


AGAIN    IN    AMERICA.  2/5 

an  incessant  cough.  On  that  day,  Dr.  Newton  treated  her  without  the  least  ap- 
parent hope,  and  even  told  Mrs  Cristy  that  the  patient  was  dying.  The  death- 
rattle  came  in  her  throat,  and  she  lay  to  all  appearance  dead  for  some  twenty 
minutes,  when  Dr.  N.  spoke  aloud :  "  Use  your  will-power ;  open  your  eyes  ! " — 
when  the  eyes  rolled,  and  she  whispered,  "  This  is  not  death."  "  Speak  aloud," 
said  Dr.  N. ;  and  she  did  speak  aloud — the  first  time  in  three  weeks — saying,  "  I 
have  been  in  the  spirit-world,  and  a  spirit  whom  I  saw  told  me  that  this  is  nof 
death,  and  that  I  had  to  return  to  earth  to  finish  my  mission  of  life  here."  She  at 
once  partook  of  food.     Her  cough  had  all  gone,  and  she  was  cured.* 

From  the  same  : — 

DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON,  THE  HEALER. 

This  gentleman,  who  is  world-renowned  as  a  wonderful  instrument  for  the  re- 
moval of  disease  by  the  "  laying  on  of  hands,"  still  continues  to  relieve  the  suf- 
fering, at  his  office.  No.  35  Harrison  avenue,  Boston.  The  voluminous  notices 
which  from  time  to  time  have  appeared  in  this  paper  concerning  him  would  seem 
to  render  any  lengthy  re-statement  of  our  views  unnecessary  at  the  present  time  ; 
but  we  cannot  refrain  from  once  more  bearing  witness  to  his  remarkable  powers, 
having  been  the  recipient,  ourselves,  of  his  curative  offices,  as  well  as  others  of  the 
afflicted.  The  Doctor's  magnetic  forces,  instead  of  waning  with  his  increasing 
years,  seem  to  grow  stronger  by  influx  from  the  world  unseen ;  and  he  is  more 
successful,  if  possible,  than  ever  heretofore,  in  the  treatment  and  cure  of  multi- 
tudinous cases,  many  of  them  given  over  by  the  regular  practitioners.  To  the 
rich  his  terms  are  reasonable  ;  the  poor,  he  makes  whole  "  without  price."  Read 
the  letter  below  regarding  one  of  his  N  w  York  patients.  It  speaks  volumes 
from  two  grateful  hearts  : 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton— Z>^ar  Sir  :  It  is  with  gratitude  that  we  ever  think  of  you,  and  a  pleas- 
ure to  remember  the  day  that  we  first  saw  you— now  more  than  two  years  ago  ;  since  which  time 
we  feel  and  know  that  we  owe  more  to  you  for  our  health  and  happiness  than  to  any  other  living 
person — a  blessing  too  great  to  prize  justly.  This  prompts  me  to  write  you  a  few  lines,  that  you 
may  not  think  us  among  the  number  who  receive  a  blessing,  and  straightway  forget  the  giver. 
You  doubtless  remember  my  bringing  Mrs.  Weber  to  you  to  be  cured.  I  brought  her  in  my 
arms  into  your  office,  and  in  ten  minutes  she  -walked  out  with  me.  I  cannot  tell  you  how  it  thrills 
me  now  to  think  of  that  hour's  joy — it  seemed  so  like  raising  the  dead.  For  nearly  three  years 
previous  she  had  been  unable  to  walk  a^step. 

Since  we  saw  you,  Mrs.  W.  has  enjoyed  the  best  of  health.  It  is  only  a  little  part  of  the  grati- 
tude we  fee!,  that  I  can  express  in  this  letter  to  you,  our  dearest  earthly  friend.  Please  accept  it 
from  your  most  grateful  children, 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  B.  Weber. 
Springville,  Erie  Co.,  N.  V.,  Oct.  25,  1871. 

In  connection  with  this  letter  we  give  a  list  of  several  cures  (some  of  them 
seemingly  "miraculous"  in  the  theological  sense),  which  Dr.  Newton  has  re- 
cently performed. 

Willie  Marshall  Pike,  409  Charles  street,  Boston,  Mass.,  was  cured  of 
total  blindness,  Friday,  Oct.  20th,  by  twenty  minutes'  treatment.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  could  see  well,  and  went  to  work  next  day. 

*  See  note  of  Deacon  Cristy  in  Chapter  IX.,  page  126. 


2Jb  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Mrs.  Benj.  Burton,  Union,  Me.,  afflicted  with  leprosy  in  her  hands,  her  fin- 
gers appearing  entirely  dead,  with  the  nails  black,  visited  Dr.  Newton  and  was 
cured  with  one  treatment.  The  nails  came  off  in  a  few  days,  and  the  hands  be- 
came as  perfect  and  natural  as  ever. 

Capt.  H.  p.  Turner,  287  Hanover  street,  Boston,  severely  injured  in  spine 
and  hips  by  a  heavy  piece  of  timber,  was  cured  perfectly  with  three  treatments. 

Simon  Marston,  Portsmouth,  N.  PI.,  was  cured  of  jaundice  and  gall  stones. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Snow,  No.  ii  Way  street,  Boston,  a  case  of  chronic  rheumat- 
ism, was  permanently  cured. 

Asa  T.  Walker,  Porstmouth,  N.  H.,  who  has  suffered  from  asthma  for 
twenty  years,  was  perfectly  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Alfred  McKenzie,  Peabody,  Mass.,  who  was  troubled  with  gravel  and 
kidney  complaints  for  thirty-five  years,  was  cured  with  one  treatment.  Has  no 
objection  to  being  referred  to. 

Alden  Burrill,  Lynn,  Mass.,  was  cured  with  one  treatment  of  tumor  in 
bowels,  and  lame  knee. 

Mrs.  M.  G.  Guild,  42  Austin  street,  Charlestown,  was  recently  cured  of  a 
very  large  ovarian  tumor. 

Helen  L.  Bucklin,  134  6th  street.  South  Boston,  was  perfectly  cured,  in  a 
brief  time,  of  hip  disease. 

Mrs.  John  Ransom,  Plymouth,  Mass.,  who,  by  reason  of  spinal  and  female 
weaknesses,  for  three  years  had  been  unable  to  walk,  was  cured  with  one  treat- 
ment, so  that  she  could  walk  well. 

Mr.  Lambert's  child,  Gardiner,  Me.,  had  lost  her  powers  of  speech;  but  was 
cured  by  the  Doctor,  instantly,  so  as  to  talk  as  freely  as  any  one. 

Mrs.  Lynd  S.  Waterman,  5  Tremont  Place,  Boston,  was  on  application 
cured  of  a  cancer. 

Mrs.  William  Wallace,  Water  street,  Pittston,  Me.,  was  cured  of  consump- 
tion, after  being  given  over  by  many  old  school  physicians. 

Miss  Ella  Teel,  Lynn,  Mass.,  was  permanently  cured  of  dropsy  and  con. 
stipation. 

David  E.  Martin,  Rochester,  who  suffered  with  weak  lungs  and  consump- 
tion for  many  years,  was  perfectly  cured  in  a  brief  time. 

Mrs.  S.  J.  Jewett,  Westminster,  Mass.,  who  had  been  troubled  with  a  lame 
knee  for  six  years,  was  cured  of  her  difficulty ;  also  of  dyspepsia  and  jaundice. 

Alanson  Bartlett,  Croyden,  N.  H.,  who  had  been  very  lame  for  seven 
months,  and  unable  to  walk,  was  cured  with  one  treatment. 

Mrs.  Towns,  Amherst,  N.  H.,  was  cured  of  epilepsy  eight  months  ago,  and 
has  not  exhibited  any  symptoms  of  the  disease  since. 

S.  B.  HoLLis,  365  Silver  street,  South  Boston,  Mass.,  who  had  been  afflicted 
with  scrofula  in  one  of  his  limbs  for  four  years,  was  perfectly  cured. 

George  Rood,  Woodstock,  Vt.,  was  cured  of  epilepsy. 

Moses  Yeaton,  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  who  was  so  much  troubled  by  a  disease 
of  the  kidneys  and  bladder  for  fifteen  years  that  all  the  doctors  consulted  said  he 
could  never  recover,  but  must  die,  was  perfectly  cured  with  one  treatment  of 
twenty  minutes. 


AGAIN    IN    AMERICA.  2^7 

Here  are  the  facts,  which  speak  incontrovertibly  for  themselves.  We  would 
advise  alike  all  those  who  doubt,  and  those  who  desire  to  know  more  of  the  mat- 
ter, to  visit  Dr.  Newton  personally,  and  witness  his  operations  for  themselves. 

From  the  same  : — 
REMARKABLE  CURE  OF  LAMENESS  AND  SPINAL  INJURY. 

Some  six  years  ago,  while  attending  school  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  I  fell  down  stairs, 
through  the  carelessness  of  a  schoolmate,  injuring  myself  considerably.  Since 
then  I  have  been  troubled  at  times  with  my  spine  and  left  knee. 

About  a  year  since,  my  general  health  failed  me  also.  I  began  to  suffer  again 
with  the  pain  in  my  spine,  which  grew  worse  and  worse,  until  it  was  almost  un- 
endurable. I  received  treatment  from  one  of  the  best  physicians  in  Boston 
Highlands  (as  I  then  resided  in  Boston),  but  was  not  benefited.  He  then  advised 
me  to  go  away  from  the  salt  water.  I  immediately  went  to  Danville,  New  Hamp- 
shire, where  I  had  the  advice  of  other  physicians.  They  all  agreed  in  saying 
that  the  limb  must  be  amputated.  In  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  my  left  knee  be- 
came very  painful,  and  swelled  a  great  deal,  but  the  pain  in  my  back  was  some- 
what relieved.  In  a  very  short  time  after  my  leaving  Boston  I  was  unable  to 
walk  without  the  help  of  a  crutch.  P'or  the  last  seven  months  I  have  suffered 
intensely,  being  obliged  to  recline  a  great  part  of  the  time.  Hearing  of  Dr.  J. 
R.  Newton's  most  wonderful  cures,  and  at  the  earnest  solicitations  of  friends 
(among  the  number  Mrs.  E.  J.  Sherman,  of  Newburyport,  Mass.,  who  very  kindly 
accompanied  me)  I  visited  the  Doctor  at  his  office  on  the  14th  of  Oct.  The 
place  where  I  was  stopping  was  about  a  half  mile  from  the  office,  and  I  was 
obliged  to  go  there  in  a  coach,  as  I  had  not  walked  that  distance  in  the  whole 
seven  months.  The  coachman  asked  me  what  time  he  should  come  to  take  me 
back.  I  told  him  I  did  not  know  but  I  should  walk.  He  made  no  reply,  but 
looked  at  me  in  amazement,  for  he  saw  it  was  with  difficulty  that  I  walked  with 
my  crutch.  The  Doctor  seemed  much  pleased  at  seeing  me,  and  said,  "  I  am 
going  to  cure  you."  The  people  there  looked  incredulous.  He  then  took  me 
into  his  private  room  and  gave  me  a  brief  treatment  of  about  five  minutes  (con- 
sisting merely  of  rubbing,  for  he  uses  no  harsh  means).  Mrs.  Tibbits  of 
Newburyport,  who  was  in  the  room  and  saw  the  wonderful  cure,  immediately  left 
the  room  and  informed  those  in  waiting,  who  had  heard  the  Doctor's  remark, 
that  the  young  lady  was  cured.  They  demanded  to  see  me.  I  went  out,  ran 
through  the  long  entry  and  up  a  flight  of  stairs  before  the  wondering  gaze  of 
many  people.  He  then  called  me  into  his  private  room  and  gave  me  another 
treatment  (in  the  same  manner  as  before)  of  about  the  same  length.  I  went  back 
to  the  reception  room,  and  in  a  few  moments  saw  one  of  my  skeptical  friends 
coming  in.  I  walked  across  the  room  to  meet  him,  saying.  "  What  do  you  think 
of  it  ? "  He  was  so  much  surprised  to  see  me  walking  that  for  several  seconds 
he  made  no  reply.  At  last  he  said:  "Well,  well,  I  do  not  know  what  to  think 
of  it !     You  do  not  walk  much  as  you  did  yesterday  !  " 

An  old  gentleman  (who  by  the  way  was  an  Episcopal  clergyman),  who  had 


2/8  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

not  seen  less  than  eighty  winters,  came  tremblingly  to  the  door,  and  in  a  broken 
voice  said,  "  Who  did  this  ?  Who  performed  this  c«re  ? "  addressing  the  Doctor. 
"  God  did  it."  "  Yes,  I  know  he  did,  as  he  does  everything  that  is  good.  But 
who  was  the  instrument .'"'  "I  was  the  instrument,"  replied  the  Doctor.  *'  But 
by  what  power  do  you  claim  to  do  these  things  ? "  "  By  the  same  power  that 
Christ  did — by  the  power  of  God."  "  But  do  you  not  think  that  borders  a  little 
on  blasphemy  ?  "  said  the  old  gentleman,  who  had  advanced  further  and  further 
into  the  room,  until  at  last  he  sank  into  a  chair.  "  No,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  for 
Christ  said,  *  The  works  that  I  do  ye  shall  do  also,  and  greater,  because  I  go  to 
the  Father  ;  and  these  are  the  signs  which  do  follow  them  that  believe  ;  they 
shall  lay  hands  on  the  sick  and  they  shall  recover.'  Did  you  ever  hear  of  a 
minister  laying  his  hand  on  any  of  his  sick  parishioners  and  healing  them  ?  I 
heal  the  sick  in  the  same  manner  as  Jesus  did,  and  I  am  not  afraid  or  ashamed 
to  own  it."  *'  But  Jesus  was  the  son  of  God }  "  "  I  claim  to  be  the  son  of  God. 
We  are  all  sons  of  God.  Didn't  you  ever  think  you  were  the  son  of  God  ? "  re* 
plied  the  Doctor.  "  No,"  **  Well  it  is  time  you  did,  with  your  head  already 
covered  with  gray  hairs."  "Jesus  and  the  apostles  healed  without  coming  in 
contact  with  the  sick,"  said  the' old  gentleman.  '*  So  do  I  sometimes."  "  Well, 
here,  cure  this  limb,"  at  the  same  time  holding  his  limb  out  toward  the  Doctor, 
who  was  sitting  at  the  opposite  side  of  the  room.  "  I  can't."  '*  You  are  honest. 
Why  not  ? "  "  Because  of  your  unbelief.  Jesus  and  the  apostles  could  not  do 
many  wonderful  works  in  a  certain  city,  because  of  the  unbelief  of  the  people." 

At  this  moment  the  business  agent  entered  and  announced  a  patient,  which 
ended  this  interesting  conversation.  As  the  old  gentleman  arose  to  leave  the 
room,  the  Doctor  said,  "  I  advise  you  to  look  into  these  things.  If  I  was  going 
to  a  foreign  country,  I  should  like  to  know  something  about  it  before  I  started, 
and  I  should  begin  to  inquire."  I  thought  the  advice  rather  singular  to  one  who 
had  been  teaching  the  way  to  this  foreign  country  many  years.  The  Doctor  did 
not  know,  however,  until  the  conversation  ended,  that  the  old  gentleman  was  a 
minister.  The  Doctor  told  me  to  walk  home,  (and  I  did  so,)  saying  also  that  he 
wished  it  was  three  miles  instead  of  a  half  a  mile. 

It  is  now  several  days  since  I  was  cured.  I  feel  none  of  the  old  trouble 
whatever.  I  can  walk  as  well  as  I  ever  could.  Any  one  wishing  for  further  in- 
formation can  call  on  or  write  to  Mrs.  E.  J.  Sherman,  28  Charles  street,  Newbury- 
port,  Mass.,  or  Miss  H.  C.  Sherburne,  South  Danville,  N.  H.  That  Doctor 
Newton  may  live  many  years  to  give  health  and  comfort  to  the  sick  is  my  earnest 
wish  and  prayer.     Would  to  God  there  were  more  like  him. 

HELEN  C.  SHERBURNE. 

We  witness  to  the  truth  of  the  above  statements. 

Robert  Sherman, 
William  C.  Balch. 
From  the  same,  June  8,  1872  : — 

DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

Every  one  mterested  in  the  manifestation  of  spirit  power  through  laying  on  of 
hands   has  heard  of  this    celebrated  worker,  whose  individual  organization  is 


AGAIN    IN    AMERICA.  2/9 

peculiarly  adapted  for  the  transmission  of  healing  power,  and  whose  labors  in 
this  country  and  Europe  have  brought  many  hearty  words  of  thankfulness  from 
the  lips  of  his  restored  patients. 

We  take  pleasure  in  laying  before  our  readers  the  following  list  of  remarkable 
cures,  recently  performed  by  Dr.  Newton,  that  it  may  still  more  firmly  be  im- 
pressed on  the  mind  of  the  public  that  the  "  gift  of  healing  "  is  a  fixed  fact — a 
blessing  not  for  a  day,  but  for  all  time  to  those  who  have  the  moral  courage  to 
receive  its  benefits  : — 

Rev.  W.  A.  Cheney,  South  Brookfield,  Mass.,  partial  paralysis,  two  years, 
numbness  in  head  and  arm  ;  unable  to  hold  a  pen  to  write  properly  j  cured  about 
six  weeks  since  ;  called  and  reported  himseli per/ec^/y  cured. 

\Vm.  B.  Tibbets,  Esq.,  Amesbury,  Mass.,  bad  case  of  sciatica ;  perfectly 
cured. 

John  Quincy  Denton,  Quincy,  Mass.,  heart  disease  and  defective  sight; 
perfectly  cured. 

Joseph  W.  Sloane,  Dorchester,  Mass.,  very  bad  case  of  rheumatism ;  en- 
tirely cured. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Brown,  Amesbury,  Mass.,  cured  of  female  weakness,  and  her  child 
cured  of  chronic  erysipelas. 

Mrs.  Adelaide  Holbrook,  Braintree,  Mass.,  bedridden  two  years  with 
paralysis ;  had  two  or  three  epileptic  fits  every  day ;  cured  with  one  treatment  of 
about  twenty  minutes.  She  is  perfectly  well,  and  has  done  all  her  family  work 
ever  since. 

J.  P.  Hammond,  Worcester,  Mass.,  child  cured  of  scald  head. 

Mrs.  M.  Lyon,  44  Coetes  street,  contracted  hip,  twenty  years ;  cured  with  one 
treatment. 

Josephine  Coffee,  Hopkinton,  Mass.,  St.  Vitus'  dance  ;  cured. 

J.  H.  Maxon,  Newbury,  N.  H.  His  son  was  cured  of  hip  disease ;  never 
used  crutches  after  second  day. 

C.  F.  Sawyer,  Washington,  D.  C,  lame  knee  many  years ;  cured  perfectly 
with  one  treatment ;  no  further  use  for  crutches  or  cane. 

George  W.  Percy,  Springfield,  Vt.,  sciatica,  kidney  disease,  catarrh  and 
asthma  ;  had  not  been  able  to  work  for  five  years ;  perfectly  cured,  and  worked 
every  day  since. 

Mrs.  Charles  R.  Hammett,  151  Chelsea  street,  Charlestown,  Mass.,  cured 
of  jaundice  and  gall  stones. 

William  O.  Davidson,  4  Stark  street,  Manchester,  N.  H.,  cured  of  heart 
disease ;  had  a  tumor  on  his  neck  that  he  was  about  to  have  cut  out ;  cured  that 
also. 

Mrs.  J.  H.  Hayward,  rear  17  Cordis  street,  Charlestown,  Mass.,  cured  of  a 
very  large  ovarian  tumor. 

Samuel  B.  Logan,  Esq.,  35  Walnut  Street,  Chelsea,  Mass.,  his  son  perfectly 
cured  of  a  cough  that  he  was  born  with. 

Ascher  B.  Poland,  Gloucester,  Mass.,  curvature  of  spine  ;  cured. 

Frank  L.  Ranville,  Springfield,  Vt.,  awful  cancer  on  tongue,  running  down 
to  the  stomach;  perfectly  cured. 


280  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

William  A.  Ford,  Esq.,  Somerville,  Mass.,  child  cured  of  St.  Vitus'  dance 
with  two  treatments. 

S.  C.  Dike,  Esq.,  470  Washington  street,  Boston,  Mass.,  heart  disease; 
cured. 

Nathaniel  S.  Averell,  79  Boston  street,  Salem,  Mass.,  loss  of  voice  over 
one  year;  cured  instantly. 

John  Madison,  48  Moulton  street,  Charlestown,  Mass.,  sciatica ;  cured  with 
one  treatment. 

Mrs.  LoviTT  Beal,  Florence,  Northampton,  Mass.,  spine  disease  and  bad 
humor  ;  perfectly  cured. 

Mrs.  Andrew  Jackson,  Keene,  N.  II.,  cured  of  a  goitre,  heart  disease,  and 
dyspepsia.  She  was  so  run  down  with  general  debility  and  weakne.ss  that  her 
life  was  despaired  of;  she  was  perfectly  cured. 

John  Hubbard,  Andover,  Mass.,  heart  disease  and  dyspepsia ;  cured  and 
went  to  work  at  once. 

William  P.  Butterfield,  Cambridgeport,  Mass.,  large  cancer  on  neck ; 
was  in  an  awful  condition  ;  perfectly  cured. 

Eben  Gilchrist,  Milton,  Mass.,  cured  of  consumption  three  months  ago ; 
in  two  weeks  went  to  work,  and  been  well  ever  since. 

Josiah  Hunt,  Cummington,  Mass.,  cured  of  paralysis  some  time  since ;  threw 
aside  his  crutches,  and  perfectly  well  since.  His  mother  had  same  disease,  not 
so  bad  ;  she  was  also  cured,  and  remains  well. 

Miss  Ada  Rowe,  Manchester,  N.  H.,  paralyzed  hands  ;  perfectly  cured. 

Minnie  Lawrence,  Falmouth,  Mass.,  contracted  feet  and  muscles  ;  cured  to 
walk  well. 

Mrs.  George  E.  Haskell,  Harvard,  Mass.,  cured  of  internal  abscess. 

Ella  Sanderson,  Dedham,  Mass.,  loss  of  voice  ;  cured  instantly. 

Sarah  Frankie  Page,  North  Charlestown,  N.  H.,  cured  of  bad  cancer  in 
breast. 

Benjamin  Cline,  Manchester,  N.  H.,  epilepsy,  three  years ;  cured. 

Edwin  W.  Thompson,  6  Conant  place,  Boston  Highlands,  cured  of  very  bad 
sore  hand. 

Mrs.  James  Coos,  East  Gloucester,  Mass.,  lame  ten  years ;  cured  with  one 
treatment  to  walk  without  crutches  and  without  limping.  This  was  two  months 
since  ;  she  continues  perfectly  well. 

From  the  same  (date  not  preserved)  : — 

A  REMARKABLE  CASE  OF  RESTORATION. 

We  have  a  case  of  healing  to  report  of  no  ordinary  magnitude.  As  it  occurred 
in  one  of  our  neighboring  towns — Somerville — and  the  parties  are  well  known  in 
this  city,  we  now  give  publicity  to  it  for  the  general  good  of  all ;  but,  in  order  to 
test  the  permanency  of  the  cure,  we  delayed  doing  so  for  a  number  of  weeks. 

We  will  state  the  case  as  briefly  as  possible,  premising  that  we  have  been 
acquainted  with  the  parties — father  and  son — for  more  than  twenty-five  years. 
Both  are  gentlemen  of  character,  and  highly  esteemed  by  large  circles  of  friends. 


AGAIN    IN    AMERICA.  28 1 

Eleven  months  ago,  Mr.  Edward  L.  Oilman  (son  of  Charles  E.  Oilman,  Esq. 
town  clerk  of  Somerville,  Mass.),  who  had  been  suffering  more  or  less  for  several 
years,  was  finally  compelled  to  give  up  business  entirely,  and  has  most  of  the 
time  since  been  confined  to  his  bed.  The  disease  proved  to  be  neuralgia  of  the 
cerebral  and  optic  nerves.  Previous  to  taking  his  bed  he  had  visited  various 
parts  of  the  world,  seeking  relief  from  the  constantly  increasing  affliction  ;  but  all 
in  vain.  He  returned  home,  and  soon  became  completely  prostrated.  For  the 
last  six  months  his  sufferings  have  been  of  the  most  excruciating  character.  He 
was  attended  by  seven  physicians,  who  stand  in  the  front  rank  of  their  profession. 
For  nearly  five  months  his  case  seemed  almost  hopeless,  and  the  only  momentary 
sleep  and  relief  from  terrible  agony  was  obtained  by  subcutaneous  injections  of 
morphine.  His  physicians  one  after  another  pronounced  further  efforts  useless, 
as  all  had  been  done  for  him  that  medical  skill  could  devise.  One  of  the 
physicians,  however.  Dr.  Charles  W.  Stevens — all  honor  to  him  for  so  liberal  an 
act  even  at  that  last  moment — as  a  last  resort,  recommended  that  Dr.  J.  R.  New- 
ton, the  magnetic  healer,  be  sent  for,  earnestly  expressing  the  hope  that  his  efforts 
might  prove  effectual.  The  parents  giving  their  consent.  Dr.  Newton  was  called 
upon,  and  promised  to  visit  the  patient  that  afternoon.  He  arrived  at  Mr.  Oil- 
man's house  a  little  before  six  o'clock,  July  29th,  and  in  less  than  ten  minutes 
after  he  had  entered  the  room  of  the  dying  patient,  he  restored  him  by  simply 
"  laying  on  of  hands."  Mr.  Oilman  immediately  arose  from  his  bed,  dressed 
himself  and  walked  out  into  the  street,  to  the  great  consternation  of  the  neighbors, 
who  had  but  a  short  time  before  been  in  to  take  a  last  farewell  of  their  friend, 
whom  they  believed  was  then  dying  and  could  not  survive  but  a  few  hours  at 
longest. 

Comment  is  entirely  unnecessary  in  such  a  clear  case  as  the  above.  The 
facts  can  easily  be  vouched  for  by  hundreds  of  neighbors  and  friends.  Besides, 
any  one  who  feels  disposed  to  learn  further  particulars,  can  call  at  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Charles  E.  Oilman,  Walnut  street,  Winter  Hill,  Somerville,  and  obtain 
them  from  Mr.  Edward  L.  Oilman  himself,  who  will  be  happy  to  give  all  the 
details  required.  He  has  been  in  to  see  us  several  times,  and  we  are  happy  to 
state  that  he  is  looking  well,  considering  the  terrible  siege  he  has  undergone,  and 
has  regained  twenty-five  pounds  of  lost  weight — having  been  reduced  to  ninety- 
seven  and  a  half  pounds.* 

*With  reference  to  this  case,  Mr.  Gilman  writes  to  the  editor  of  this  volume,  under  date  of 
Somerville,  Mass.,  Dec.  15,  1875: — 

"  Dear  Sir,— The  statement  you  refer  to  in  regard  to  my  case  is  correct.  Dr.  Newton  stated 
at  the  time,  that  unless  the  loose  pieces  of  bone  were  removed  there  was  danger  of  a  return  of  the 
trouble.  After  his  treatment  I  was  to  all  appearance  a  well  man  for  some  six  months,  when  the 
pieces  of  bone  began  working,  and  I  got  no  relief  until  they  were  removed — some  20  pieces  in  all — 
about  two  years  after.  Since  then  I  have  sufiFered  intensely,  but  think  that  Dr.  Newton  would 
make  a  well  man  of  me  could  I  see  him. 

"  Yours  respectfully, 

"EDWARD  L.  GILMAN." 


282  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

CURE  BY  DR.  NEWTON. 

Mrs.  F.  A.  Ellis,  17  Springfield  St.,  Boston,  was  afflicted  with  a  lumbar 
abscess,  and  had  been  confined  to  her  couch  in  constant  pain  three  years.  She 
was  carried  to  Dr.  Newton  upon  a  bed,  moaning  with  pain.  She  was  instantly 
cured,  and  walked  home  the  distance  of  a  mile,  and  on  her  arrival  her  friends 
found  to  their  intense  astonishment  that  the  abscess  was  gone,  and  no  trace  left 
but  a  scar. 

The  following  emphatic  testimony,  based  on  personal  observa- 
tion, was  contributed  to  the  journal  from  which  we  have  quoted  by 
Hon.  Selden  J.  Finney,  late  State  Senator  of  California  : — 

DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

Dear  Banner  : — I  feel  that  a  word  of  grateful  recognition  is  due,  from  very 
many  persons,  to  the  really  wonderful  healing  powers  and  to  the  uniform  kind- 
ness, to  the  sick  and  poor,  of  our  friend  and  co-laborer,  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton.  Hun- 
dreds, perhaps  thousands,  have  been  either  wholly  healed  by  him  or  much  relieved 
from  long  suffering  and  disease.  The  poor  he  does  not  charge,  but  pays  them  to 
come  to  him — at  least,  in  many  instances,  to  my  personal  knowledge.  I  have  seen, 
and  know  him  to  cure  blindness  of  long  standing,  permanently.  I  once  saw  him 
cure  a  woman  of  deafness  in  one  year,  of  twenty  years'  standing,  and  do  it  in- 
stantly too.  I  have  seen  the  maimed  go  to  him  on  crutches,  and  leave  in  one 
minute,  or  even  less,  with  the  crutches  on  their  shoulders.  I  have  known  a  case 
of  almost  blindness  of  long  years'  standing  cured  instantly.  In  the  city  of  Cleve- 
land, O.,  when  lecturing  there,  I  saw  him  cure  a  boy  almost  instantly  of  lameness, 
of  seven  months'  standing,  caused  by  a  severe  injury  from  a  street  car.  This 
boy  had  not  stepped  on  his  foot  for  that  length  of  time  (a&  his  mother  testified 
in  my  audience  of  near  three  hundred  people),  until  healed  by  the  Doctor.  She 
came  and  publicly  thanked  God,  the  angels,  and  Dr.  Newton,  for  this  blessing. 
I  am  informed  of  many  other  such  cases. 

Can  the  churches  produce  any  such  evidences  of  their  true  discipleship  ? 
"  By  their  fruits  shall  ye  know  them."  "  He  that  believeth  in  me,  the  works  that 
I  do  shall  he  do  also,  and  greater  works  shall  he  do,  because  I  go  to  my  Father." 
"And  these  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe:  *  *  *  They  shall  lay 
hands  on  the  sick,  and  they  shall  recover." — [See  Mark  xvi :  \']th  to  \<^th  verses], 

I  hope  that  some  competent  person  will  take  the  office  of  collecting  all  or 
many  authentic  cases  of  Bro.  Newton's  healing  experience,  identify  them  care- 
fully, conscientiously,  and  publish  them  in  good  preservable  form.  Spiritualism 
is  niakittg  history  as  no  sim'lar  event  ever  did  before.  Let  us  save  all  these 
wonderful  facts,  ascertain  their  exact  character  and  value,  and  so  close  the  doors 
against  fraud,  exaggeration  and  denial,  and  furnish  the  future  with  elements  of 
true  history.  As  Spiritualists,  living  amid  the  daily  observation  of  these  things, 
we  grow  careless  and  indifferent  to  their  real  worth  and  significance.  Dr.  New- 
ton's work  is  most  worthy  a  place  in  history.     When  some  great  revolution 


AGAIN    IN   AMERICA.  283 

comes  again,  it  may  be  that  persecution,  intolerance,  or  the  temporary  triumph 
of  the  regressive  tendency  in  religion,  will  obliterate  all  loose  traditionary  relics 
of  this  hour,  as  the  early  Christians  burnt  all  the  books  of  '^  heretics ^^  who  wrote 
against  their  theology.     Let  us  save  every  fact.     The  future  will  need  them. 

Let  it  not  be  said  hereafter  of  us  :  "  The  Divine  Guest  was  among  them  and 
they  knew  it  not."  And  besides,  we  all  long,  yearn  to  be  lovingly  recognized. 
Every  good  deed  deserves  the  cordial  approbation  of  our  fellows.  The  spiritual 
reformer  has  quite  enough  to  contend  with  from  the  careless,  heartless  opposition 
of  the  outside  world,  and  too  often,  alas,  from  those  who  live  nearest  to  him  or 
her.  To  him  who  gives  life  itself  to  the  advocacy  and  illustration  of  new  ideas, 
and  especially  to  spiritual  ideas,  which  lay  hold  on  the  supersensuous  and  divine 
in  this  animalized  world,  there  will  be  cold  enough  from  abroad  to  blow  chill 
against  his  bosom. 

Brothers,  sisters,  let's  love  each  other  more  and  more  loftily,  more  cordially, 
more  divinely.     Let's  look  for  the  good  deeds  to  praise  and  to  imitate. 

I  am  most  cordially  yours, 

SELDEN  J.  FINNEY. 


In  October,  1872,  Doctor  Newton  made  a  visit  to  California, 
stopping  by  the  way  some  ten  days  in  Salt  Lake  City,  where,  by 
invitation,  he  healed  the  sick  publicly  for  a  few  days. 

Arriving  in  San  Francisco,  he  located  himself  at  the  Cosmo- 
politan Hotel.  Many  persons  had  long  desired  the  Doctor  to  visit 
the  Pacific  coast,  and  he  was  warmly  welcomed  by  all  those  who 
knew  of  his  great  success,  elsewhere,  as  a  healer.  That  the  same 
beneficent  "  works "  followed  him  here  as  in  other  lands  will 
appear  from  the  following  extracts,  taken  from  an  article  in  the 
San  Francisco  Daily  Eveni7ig  Post  of  Jan.  1873  : — 

A  reporter  of  the  Post  recently  visited  the  Rooms  of  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  now 
in  this  city,  for  the  purpose  of  witnessing  some  of  the  cures  he  is  reported  daily 
to  perform.     ****** 

Dr.  Newton  has  three  rooms  on  the  first  floor  of  the  Cosmopolitan  Hotel, 
one  a  general  reception  room,  a  private  room  for  ladies,  and  an  operating  room 
with  folding  doors,  which  in  a  majority  of  cases  are  left  open.  Our  reporter  had 
a  seat  in  a  corner,  and  watched  with  interest  the  continued  throng  of  patients 
who  passed  in  and  out.  During  the  time  he  was  there  a  count  showed  their 
number  to  have  been  eighty,  of  both  sexes,  and  of  all  ages  and  conditions  of  life, 
who  were  afflicted  with  pretty  much  all  the  ills  the  flesh  is  heir  to.  Dr.  Newton 
does  not  pretend  to  cure  all  who  come  to  him,  and  a  number  are  turned  away 
with  the  declaration  that  it  is  impossible  to  help  them.  This  occurred  several 
times  during  our  reporter's  visit  Others  he  tells  he  can  cure,  and  proceeds  to 
operate  upon  them. 


284  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

While  our  reporter  was  in  the  Doctor's  rooms,  one  gentleman  came  in  on 
crutches,  limping  along  with  great  difficulty.  The  Doctor  said  he  could  cure  him, 
and  put  him  through  a  course  of  passes  and  rubbings,  and  in  ten  minutes  the 
man  had  thrown  away  his  crutches,  and  was  dancing  and  gyrating  in  the  most 
laughable  manner.  Some  of  the  lookers-on  laughed  at  his  ridiculous  motions,  but 
he  told  them  to  laugh  away,  he  had  the  use  of  his  legs  again,  and  could  afford 
to  let  them  laugh. 

Another  remarkable  case  was  of  a  woman  who  seemed  to  have  a  film  over 
her  eyes,  and  who  said  she  was  blind.  The  Doctor  talked  to  her  awhile,  made 
some  passes,  pressed  his  thumbs  upon  her  eyelids,  and  told  her  she  could  see. 
She  winked  slowly,  like  a  bat  brought  into  the  sunshine,  then  declared  she  could 
see  ;  and  taking  up  a  newspaper  she  commenced  to  read  it — the  first  reading, 
according  to  her  own  declaration,  that  she  had  done  for  six  years.  Her  joy  was 
affecting. 

A  little  child  was  brought  in  on  a  pillow.  It  seemed  perfectly  helpless,  un- 
able to  move  any  portion  of  its  body  except  its  eyes  ;  yet  in  half  an  hour  it  was 
sitting  up,  playing  and  laughing.  Among  the  visitors  were  a  number  who  had 
been  treated  before ;  one  of  them  a  young  man  who  had  been  entirely  cured  of  a 
large  abdominal  tumor.  He  said  that  at  the  time  of  his  first  treatment  he  had 
not  left  his  bed  for  six  weeks,  and  now  he  is  doing  well.  His  residence  is  on 
the  corner  of  Twenty-sixth  and  Howard  streets.  Another  visitor  had  been  cured 
of  hip  disease  in  three  treatments,  and  left  his  crutches  with  the  Doctor  as  a 
trophy  of  his  skill.  Another  of  Dr.  Newton's  mementos  is  the  crutch  of  a  lady 
from  Nevada,  now  stopping  at  the  Cosmopolitan  Hotel.  She  was  suffering 
severely  from  a  white  swelling  in  the  knee,  and  could  not  walk  without  a  crutch. 
Under  Dr.  Newton's  treatment  she  has  quite  recovered,  and  seems  as  though 
she  never  had  been  lame.  Since  her  cure  she  has  attended  and  danced  at 
a  ball. 

Another  patient  who  our  reporter  saw  in  Dr.  Newton's  rooms  was  a  young 
man  who  said  he  had  been  insane,  but  had  been  cured  in  six  treatments.  He  is 
now  well  and  rational.  He  says  that  his  only  trouble  now  is  an  occasional  pain 
in  his  temples. 

Another  striking  case  was  that  of  a  Mr.  Simmons,  who  was  cured  instanta- 
neously of  deafness,  with  which  he  said  he  had  been  afflicted  nearly  thirty  years, 
and  who  was  almost  wild  with  joy  and  excitement  at  recovering  his  hearing. 
Mrs,  Martha  Webster,  of  28  Stanly  Place,  was  also  cured  of  deafness  almost 
immediately.  Captain  Farnsworth,  stopping  at  the  Russ  House,  was  cured  of 
Bright's  disease  and  asthma,  and  F.  Hoffman  was  cured  of  a  cancerous  tumor. 
Among  the  patients  of  Dr.  Newton  is  a  millionaire  stock  broker,  who  is  now 
stopping  at  the  Cosmopolitan,  and  a  prominent  lawyer,  resident  of  Oakland,  who 
has  nearly  recovered  from  Bright's  disease  of  the  kidneys — a  disease  which  has 
hitherto  been  thought  incurable. 

We  give  in  addition  a  short  list  of  cures  lately  performed  which  we  get  from 
well  authenticated  sources. 

JoTHAM  C.  Curtis,  Murphy's  Camp,  Calaveras  County;  cured  instantly  of 
deafness  of  many  years'  standing. 


AGAIN    IN    AMERICA.  285 

Annie  Sutherland,  1012  Adeline  street,  Oakland;  blindness  and  weak- 
ness of  eyes  for  five  years  ;  perfectly  cured. 

Stephen  Abbott,  Antioch ;  dyspepsia,  liver  complaint,  and  gall-stones ; 
gall-stones  removed  and  a  complete  cure  effected  in  one  treatment. 

Ellen  Nickerson,  Alameda  Point ;  weak  eyes  and  dimness  of  vision  four 
years ;  cured. 

W1LLLA.M  Williams,  1014  Stockton  street;  heart  disease  and  neuralgia; 
cured. 

Lulu  Kimball,  652  Market  street ;  paralysis  and  St.  Vitus'  dance ;  unable 
to  talk  or  walk ;  perfectly  cured. 

General  E.  C.  Davis,  Virginia  City;  liver  complaint  for  five  years ;  cured. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Harrington,  Turk  street,  incipient  paralysis  and  general 
debility ;  perfectly  restored. 

James  Hatch,  22  Tehama  street,  swollen  liver ;  cured. 

Sidney  Smith,  Canon  City,  Trinity  County,  softening  of  the  brain.  Ten 
different  physicians  had  pronounced  him  incurable ;  cured  in  a  few  weeks. 

Wm.  Spangler,  155  New  Montgomery  street,  consumption  eight  years,  and 
for  two  years  unable  to  work.  Had  tried  many  physicians  to  no  purpose ; 
gained  sixteen  pounds  in  three  weeks  ;  will  answer  any  questions. 

Hon.  Charles  E.  Tuttle,  Oakland,  cured  of  Bright's  disease,  after  the 
efforts  of  many  physicians. 

Mrs.  Annie  Jameson,  106  Austin  street,  lameness. 

John  Johnson,  126  Second  street,  scrofula  on  face  twelve  years.  Spent  all 
his  property  to  no  effect ;  cured  in  two  treatments. 

Wm.  T.  Collins,  205  Fifth  street,  disease  of  bladder  and  kidneys. 

Ben  J.  R.  Collins,  208  Fifth  street,  heart  disease  in  its  worst  form;  extraor- 
dinary case. 

Ernest  Blake,  28^  Lankton  street,  defective  sight. 

Warren  F.  Myers,  Gait  House,  bad  case  of  chronic  rheumatism ;  perfectly 
cured. 

H.  P.  Mosier,  Oakland  Point,  varicose  veins. 

F.  A.  Tierman,  II  Oak  Grove  avenue,  lame  foot, 

Mrs.  Alice  Davis,  526  Geary  street,  liver  complaint  and  gall  stones  ;  twelve 
years  sick  ;  had  had  eight  physicians  ;  gall  stones  removed  and  a  cure  effected 
in  two  treatments. 

Mrs.  M.  A.  Harton,  1327  Pacific  street,  sick  over  twenty  years ;  cured. 

Dr.  Newton  remained  in  California  (with  the  exception  of  a 
brief  visit  to  St.  Louis  in  the  winter  of  1874)  about  three  years, 
confining  his  labors  to  the  cities  of  San  Francisco  and  Sacramento, 
passing  intervals  of  rest  and  recreation  in  the  mountain  regions  of 
the  Pacific  slope. 

Much  interest  was  manifested  in  his  private  operations  in 
California,  and  many  cures  were  wrought  as  marvellous  as  any  here- 


286  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

tofore  recorded.  Many  invalids  came  from  a  long  distance  to  avail 
themselves  of  his  healing  power, — some  from  distant  States  and 
territories,  from  Mexico  and  Lower  California.  Various  items 
appeared  from  time  to  time,  in  the  public  prints,  relative  to  his 
work,  and  numerous  private  letters  were  received  acknowledging 
the  wonderful  benefits  conferred  upon  suffering  invalids  through 
the  agency  of  his  great  gift.  We  append  but  a  few  cases,  so  many 
have  already  been  given.  Most  of  these  were  remarkable  for  being 
instantaneous  cures  of  very  obstinate  and  chronic  diseases,  and  all 
are  believed  to  be  well  authenticated,  though  the  names  of  the 
journals  in  which  they  were  printed  have  not  been  preserved. 

*'  The  cure  of  Mrs.  Bragg,  O  street,  between  4th  and  5th,  Sacramento,  was 
unexpected  and  marvellous,  both  to  herself  and  friends.  She  was  afflicted  with 
hip-disease  and  rheumatism,  and  was  unable  to  walk  a  step.  She  was  cured  with 
two  treatments,  and  continues  well." 

"Henry  C.  Blake,  333  Montgomery  street,  San  Francisco,  was  cured  of 
paralysis  in  leg.     His  wife  was  cured  of  rheumatism  and  tumor  on  the  neck." 

"  Henry  Berwick,  Sacramento,  was  severely  afflicted  with  disease  of  the 
bladder  and  kidneys,  heart  disease  and  painful  nervous  twitching  of  the  eye-lids. 
He  came  to  Dr.  Newton  from  the  City  Hospital,  where  he  had  been  under  treat- 
ment of  the  best  physicians,  but  without  being  cured.  With  a  few  treatments  he 
was  entirely  cured." 

"  A  remarkable  cure  of  a  distressing  case  of  epilepsy  was  performed  by  Dr.  J. 
R.  Newton,  now  stopping  at  the  Arcade  Hotel.  Mrs.  Jane  Beauchamp,  living 
on  Tenth  street,  Sacramento,  was  cured  instantly  of  a  disease  that  has  baffled 
the  skill  of  the  best  physicians.     She  has  not  had  a  symptom  of  fits  since." 

"  Sidney  Smith,  Sacramento,  was  permanently  cured  of  lung  disease  and 
a  consumptive  cough  with  hemorrhage,  although  advanced  in  years." 

"TiroMAS  P.  Ford,  corner  Seventh  and  I  streets,  Sacramento,  was  cured  of 
spinal  disease  of  long  standing.  He  was  unable  to  work  and  could  walk  only  a 
short  distance.  The  cure  was  instantaneous  and  complete,  and  he  soon  returned 
to  his  business  which  had  been  neglected  for  many  months." 

"  W.  C.  Burnett,  City  Attorney,  San  Francisco,  brought  his  son,  a  boy  of 
twelve  years  of  age,  to  Sacramento,  June  24th,  1875,  ^^  ^^  cured  of  chorea,  or  St. 
Vitus'  Dance.  It  was  a  bad  case,  and  he  was  constantly  growing  worse.  Dr. 
Newton,  in  two  minutes'  time,  entirely  removed  the  disease,  and  the  boy  appeared 
at  once  as  well  and  smart  as  ever.  His  father  immediately  telegraphed  to  his 
wife  the  good  news  of  their  son's  restoration.  Mr.  Burnett  had  hitherto  had  but 
little  faith  in  the  healing  power,  or  spiritualism,  but  this  cure,  so  instantaneous, 
so  wonderful,  and  so  apparently  done  by  the  aid  of  an  unseen  power,  convinced 
him  at  once  of  the  truth  of  both." 

"  Wm.  Lyon,  J  St.,  Sacramento,  was  also  cured  of  a  distressing  disease  of 


AGAIN    IN    AMERICA.  28/ 

the  head,  caused  by  over-work,  which  would  have  finally  ended  fatally  in  soften- 
ing of  the  brain.  It  is  now  two  years  since  he  was  restored,  and  he  remains 
perfectly  well." 

"  M.  D.  Brewer,  same  place,  was  prostrated  with  erysipelas  in  the  head.  Dr. 
Newton  relieved  him  of  all  pain  at  once,  by  sending  him  a  magnetic  shock, 
through  Mr.  Lyon,  who  called  to  see  the  Doctor  in  his  behalf." 

"  Cyrus  Wheeler,  business  partner  of  Gov.  Booth,  was  cured  of  inflamma- 
tory rheumatism,  by  magnetic  treatment  from  Dr.  Newton." 

"Amos  Waring,  of  Washington,  Yolo  County,  was  cured  of  rheumatism 
and  gout  in  both  feet.     Severe  case." 

"  Sarah  Hutchins,  Sacramento,  cured  in  one  treatment  of  liver  complaint 
and  gall  stones." 

The  following  cases  of  cures  appear  under  date  of  Feb.  1876  : — 

"Irene  McAden,  146  nth  st.,  San  Francisco,  was  entirely  cured  of  fistula 
(what  medical  doctors  rarely  cure  and  only  by  the  use  of  the  knife).  Fistula 
discharged  constantly,  and  was  of  long  standing." 

"John  Mitchel,  Stanislaus  Co.,  Cal.,  was  cured  of  paralysis  in  left  leg." 
"  Mrs.  Hagenkemps'  daughter,  218  Clara  street,  San  Francisco,  was  entirely 
cured  of  St.  Vitus'  Dance  in  its  worst  form." 

From  the  Sf.  Louis  Democrat^  of  Dec,  1874  : — 

"To  the  Public  : — I  desire  to  give  expression  publicly  to  my  deep  sense  of 
gratitude  to  Dr.  J.  R.  Newton,  No.  1015  Olive  street,  for  his  wonderful  cure  of  my 
wife,  who  has  been  suffering  with  spinal  disease,  caused  by  a  fall  from  a  carriage 
three  years  ago.  At  times  she  has  suffered  intensely.  A  relief  seemed  beyond 
the  reach  of  medicines  or  physicians.  Remembering  a  marvellous  cure  of  my 
sister  by  Dr.  Newton,  a  number  of  years  ago,  I  prevailed  on  my  wife  to  visit 
him,  and  at  a  time  when  she  was  suffering  from  a  very  severe  attack  of  the 
disease.  She  did  so,  and,  as  if  by  magic,  was  instantly  relieved;  has  remained 
so  since,  and  I  believe  is  permanently  cured. 

I  feel  it  is  a  duty  to  suffering  humanity  to  inform  them  of  this  astonishing 
cure.  L.  M.  Crane,  Jr., 

510  and  512  North  Fourth  street. 

I  hereby  certify  the  above  statement  is  true  in  all  particulars. 

J.  H.  Crane. 


"  In  May,  1876,  Dr.  Newton  returned  east  with  the  intention  of 
locating  permanently  in  New  York  city  or  vicinity.  After  a  suc- 
cessful practice  in  the  city,  he  visited  the  south,  passing  the  winter 
of  1876  and  1877  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  on 
his  return,  began  to  turn  his  mind  toward  a  plan  long  had  in  view, 
that  of  making  healing  at  a  distance  a  specialty  and  his  chief  work. 


288  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

This  plan  had  been  devised  and  approved  by  and  through  spirit 
agencies,  and  further  development  and  increase  of  power  for  this 
particular  work  had  been  promised  him  to  carry  out  this  purpose  ; 
and  to  better  break  away  from  the  more  active  labors  of  his  pro- 
fession, he  passed  considerable  time,  at  intervals,  at  a  distance 
from  crowded  cities  and  towns,  carrying  on  his  correspondence 
with  patients,  and  treating  by  magnetized  letters,  and  finally  located 
at  Yonkers-on-the-Hudson,  N.  Y.  Here  he  pursues  his  labors, 
dispensing  the  blessings  of  health  to  the  sick  everywhere,  by  the 
exercise  of  that  marvellous  will-power,  sending  forth  the  balm  of 
healing  to  the  remotest  quarters  of  the  globe.  We  have  before  us 
a  large  mass  of  testimony  to  Dr.  Newton's  healing  power,  covering 
this  period  of  three  years,  both  of  cures  performed  in  person  and 
at  a  distance.  Some  of  the  latter  appear  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
(See  Chapter  XI.)  From  the  former,  we  select  only  the  two  fol- 
lowing cases,  as,  after  the  large  amount  of  testimony  already  given 
in  these  pages,  additional  statements  might  not  be  of  interest,  even 
if  the  limits  of  this  work  admitted  their  reproduction. 

The  cure  of  Miss  Minnie  Russell,  of  Belle  Valley,  Pa.,  in  Feb., 
1877,  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  on  record,  and  may  appro- 
priately be  numbered  among  the  miracles  of  modern  times.  Her 
case  is  thus  described  : — 

"  Miss  Russell  had  suffered  from  nervous  and  spinal  disease  for  more  than 
two  years.  She  could  not  raise  her  head  from  her  pillow,  nor  her  hands  to  her 
head.  Her  limbs  were  drawn  up  and  joints  anchylozed;  she  could  bear  neither 
light  nor  sound.  She  was  confined  in  a  room  in  a  remote  part  of  the  house,  and 
every  possible  arrangement  made  to  render  "her  condition  endurable.  The  win- 
dows were  boarded  up  and  packed  with  sawdust,  to  exclude  light  and  muffle 
sound,  double  doors  had  been  constructed,  so  that  the  entrance  to  her  room  was 
by  a  dark  passage  in  order  that  no  light  could  be  admitted  on  entering.  The 
room  was  ventilated  by  an  aperture  beneath  a  window,  that  admitted  air  but  no 
light.  In  this  living  sepulchre,  this  death  in  life,  the  weary  months  dragged 
slowly  on  with  the  young  sufferer.  Not  even  temporary  relief  could  be  found, 
until  they  heard  of  Dr.  Newton  and  his  great  power  of  healing,  when  they  at  once 
sent  for  him.  He  accompanied  the  father  to  his  house  and  was  led  into  the 
darkened  chamber.  After  a  half  hour's  treatment,  he  commanded  the  windows 
to  be  uncovered,  which  was  done,  and  beyond  a  little  unpleasantness  from  the 
glare  of  the  light,  she  could  bear  it  well.  The  Doctor  then  continued  the  treat- 
ment, and  bade  her  rise,  and  she  was  soon  seated  in  a  chair  by  the  bed.  She 
then  sat  at  the  table  and  dined  with  the  happy  family.  After  a  few  hours  he  left 
her,  cured,  with  the  exception  of  the  stiff  joints,  which  he  assured  her  would 


AGAIN    IN    AMERICA.  289 

come  straight  in  a  few  days  or  weeks.     True  to  this  prediction,  the  limbs  grad- 
ually straightened,  and  in  one  year  and  a  half,  she  visited  New  York  city." 

It  is  impossible  to  adequately  describe  the  above  scene.  It  is  beyond  the 
power  of  words  to  put  in  expression  the  great  joy  brought  to  that  household  by 
this  raising  from  the  dead,  as  it  were,  a  loved  and  idolized  child.  The  follow- 
ing is  an  extract  from  a  letter  from  the  father  to  Dr.  Newton,  written  a  few  days 
after  the  cure : 

Belle  Valley,  Feb.  20,  1877. 

Dear  Dr.  Newton  r*— I  now  write  you  to  express  to  you  our  thanks  and  joy 
for  what  you  have  been  the  means  under  God  of  doing  for  us  in  thus  restoring  to 
daylight  and  health  our  darling  child.  Oh !  it  seems  so  wonderful,  so  strange, 
that  she  has  been  lifted  thus  instantly  from  the  long,  bitter  darkness  of  twenty- 
seven  months  to  see  the  glorious  light  of  the  sun,  and  that  the  body  so  covered 
with  tenderness  should  be  thus  restored  to  soundness  and  strength !  Yes,  to  see 
her  sitting  with  us  at  the  family  table,  and  feeding  herself,  when  for  more  than 
a  year  she  has  depended  on  others  to  do  this  for  her — it  seems  truly  over- 
whelming ;  and  to  think  you  have  been  God's  instrument  to  thus  change  instantly 
our  house  from  darkness  and  mourning  (for  it  seemed  like  a  constant  funeral)  to 
one  of  light  and  rejoicing,  thus  causing  our  friends  and  neighbors  to  "  come  and 
rejoice  with  us  " — it  seems  indeed  too  much  for  one  day  !  But  such  indeed  is  the 
case  with  us.  Minnie  continues  as  you  left  her  day  before  yesterday.  If  those 
lower  limbs  were  only  straight,  I  presume  she  could  walk  alone.  We  think  they 
are  improving,  and  if,  as  you  say,  they  will  assume  their  proper  position  and 
perform  their  proper  office  in  a  few  days,  the  cure  will  indeed  be  complete,  and 
she  will  he  "walking,  leaping,  and  praising  God."  O  friend,  *  *  *  you  cannot 
think  what  a  change  in  everything  about  us  you  have  wronght  t     *    «     *    * 

I  will  now  close  by  saying,  May  God  bless  you  for  this  great  blessing  to  us  ! 
Mrs.  Russell  joins  with  me  in  all  this,  and  will  write  you  soon,  but  now  she  is 
kept  so  busy  by  people  calling  to  see  this  wonderful  sight. 
Yours  truly  and  sincerely, 

G.  J.  RUSSELL. 

From  the  Banner  of  Light : — 

REMARKABLE  CURE  BY  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON. 

The  following  letter,  which  was  forwarded  to  Dr.  Newton,  the  healer,  without 
solicitation  on  his  part,  is  full  of  the  soul  of  gratitude,  and  furnishes  additional 
evidence  of  the  wonderful  powers  possessed  by  this  venerable  worker  in  the 
spiritual  field  : 

Dr.  J.  R.  Newton  :  Dear  Sir — As  an  expression  of  intense  thankfulness, 
and  from  a  sense  of  duty  to  my  suffering  fellow-men,  I  desire  to  state  briefly  the 
remarkable  cure  of  my  daughter,  of  nine  years  of  age.  She  inherited  a  very 
feeble  constitution,  and  has  always  been  very  frail  from  birth,  especially  subject 

19 


290  THE    MODERN   BETHESDA. 

to  attacks  of  inflammation  of  the  eyes.  Last  winter  she  had  a  protracted  blind- 
ness for  several  weeks,  which  was  at  last  greatly  intensified  by  an  attack  of 
measles,  which  threatened  total  blindness.  The  best  opticians  and  regular  phy- 
sicians failed  to  accomplish  anything.  In  utter  despair,  having  heard  of  your 
great  success  as  a  healer,  we  decided  to  try  your  method,  and  we  have  reason 
to  thank  God  that  we  were  so  directed.  Even  upon  our  first  visit  you  succeeded 
in  showing  her  the  blessed  light,  which  she  had  not  seen  in  many  weary  weeks, 
and  in  a  few  treatments  she  was  entirely  restored  to  us.  No  medicine,  nothing 
but  the  divine  touch  of  magnetism  I 

My  prejudices  were  always  in  favor  of  the  regular  profession,  but  these  "  stub- 
born facts  "  are  stronger  than  theories.  Alas  !  that  "  selfish  interest  "  and  the 
learned  ignorance  of  the  "schools"  should  ignore  this  wonderful  power  of  heal- 
ing— but  so  it  has  ever  been. 

May  God  and  his  good  angels  still  abide  with  you,  and  give  you  long  life  and 
this  power  to  bless  your  fellow  men,  is  the  earnest  prayer  of  myself  and  wife. 

Yours  very  truly, 

E.  C.  PHELPS. 
Phelps'  Conservatory  o/Music,  24  Greene  Ave.,  Brooklyn,  JV.  K,  Aug.  2^th,  1876. 


REMINISCENCES.  29 1 


CHAPTER  XX. 

REMINISCENCES    OF    DR.    NEWTON,    BY    HIS    FORMER   SECRETARY. 

First  acquaintance  with  the  Doctor. — His  labors  in  New  Haven. — Several  notable  cures. — 
He  goes  to  Hartford. — Cures  in  that  city. — Visits  the  Shakers  at  Enfield. — Proceeds  to 
Washington,  D.  C. — Distinguished  Patients. — Next  to  Springfield,  Mass. — Many  re- 
markable cases. — ^Voyage  to  Europe. — Disappointment  and  speedy  return.— Opens  at 
Rochester,  N.  Y. — More  marvellous  cures. — Visits  Auburn  and  Canandaigua. — Proceeds 
to  Chicago. — Exciting  period. — Invalids  flock  from  all  quarters. — To  Davenport,  Iowa. — 
Usual  success. — To  Springfield,  III. — Funeral  of  the  martyred  President. — Distin- 
guished friends. — Proceeds  to  Toledo,  O. — Crowds  of  visitors,  and  wonderful  cures. — 
Extraordinary  case. — Excitement  and  threats  of  a  mob. — A  noble  defender. — Next  in 
Portland,  Me. — Interesting  cases. — Columbus,  O. — Dr.  Newton's  benevolence: — The 
old  colored  cripple. — Charities  sometimes  in  excess  of  receipts. — The  blind  pilot  re- 
stored to  sight. — Opening  in  New  York  cit>'. — Great  crowds  and  thrilling  scenes. — 
Some  distinguished  visitors. — Salem  and  Boston,  Mass. — More  remarkable  cases. — End 
of  connection  with  Dr.  Newton. — His  personal  habits  and  characteristics. 

This  incomplete  and  fragmentary  record  of  a  marvellous  career 
can  hardly  be  more  appropriately  closed  than  by  the  following  nar- 
rative of  reminiscences,  by  one  who  was  intimately  associated  with 
Dr.  Newton  in  his  labors  and  travels  for  several  years.  It  is  the 
simple  and  naive  stor}^,  often  quaintly  told,  of  an  old  man  whose 
personal  observations  seem  to  have  inspired  him  with  an  un- 
bounded affection  and  reverence  for  the  "  great  healer  "  of  modern 
times.  They  have  qualified  him  also  to  be  a  witness  whose  testi- 
mony it  will  be  difficult  to  impeach.  His  recollections  supply 
numerous  interesting  items  not  elsewhere  noted,  while  they  are 
largely  corroborative  of  those  already  given. 


REMINISCENCES  OF  DR.  J.  R.  NEWTON,  BY  AUSTIN  A.  HILL,  HIS 
FORMER  SECRETARY. 

The  writer  of  the  following  narrative,  having  reached  almost  the  limit  of  the 
years  appointed  to  man,  and  casting  a  glance  of  retrospection  over  his  long  life, 
finds  his  memory  clinging  to  the  years  of  his  connection  with  this  truly  wonderful 


292  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

man ;  and  in  noting  some  of  the  events  and  marvellous  experiences  of  those 
years,  he  hopes,  by  bearing  evidence  to  the  truth,  to  repay  in  a  slight  degree  the 
many  acts  of  kindness  received  from  the  "  great  healer." 

My  acquaintance  with  Dr.  Newton  was  accidental,  and  occurred  in  this  wise  : 
When  the  Doctor  visited  New  Haven,  in  the  summer  of  1863,  a  gentleman  then 
boarding  with  me,  acted  as  his  secretary ;  and,  finding  it  necessary  to  leave  the  city 
for  a  few  days,  asked  me  to  take  his  place,  which  I  did.  On  his  return  he  found 
that  the  Doctor  seemed  suited  with  me,  and  it  was  arranged  that  I  should  con- 
tinue ;  Dr.  N.  making  me  his  secretary. 

This  was  my  first  introduction  to  and  acquaintance  with  Dr.  James  Rogers  New- 
ton. This  acquaintance  ripened  into  a  warm  friendship  and  mutual  confidence, 
which  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  Dr.  Newton  remained  several  weeks  in 
New  Haven,  being  located  on  York  street.  The  crowds  that  visited  him  daily 
filled  the  house  and  the  grounds  connected  therewith.  Of  the  many  afflicted 
persons  that  visited  Dr.  Newton,  the  following  are  a  few  of  the  most  prominent : — 

Jennie  A.  Wait,  of  Sandy  Hook,  Conn.,  abscess  of  the  hip  of  several  years* 
standing,  was  fully  restored,  the  affliction  having  been  from  childhood.  Miss 
Wait  visited  Dr.  N.  in  1866,  while  we  were  at  No.  6  St.  Mark's  Place,  N.  Y., 
entirely  restored,  and  would  run  up  the  long  stairs  much  quicker  than  I  could. 

Miss  Caroline  F.  Davis,  of  Guilford,  Ct.,  brought  on  a  bed  sixteen  miles, 
afflicted  with  spinal  disease  and  female  weakness ;  had  not  walked  for  six 
years,  or  spoken  even  above  a  whisper  for  four  years ;  was  cured  instantly, 
walked  away  rejoicing,  and  talked  as  freely  as  any  one.  Miss  Davis  also 
visited  the  Doctor  in  New  York.  She  said  she  came  to  thank  him  for  what  he 
did  for  her  three  years  before. 

Ada  Rendell,  daughter  of  Mr.  Rendell,  carriage  manufacturer,  a  young  girl 
14  or  15  years  of  age.  Dr.  N.  visited  her  at  her  father's  house,  corner  of  Chapel 
and  Park  streets,  New  Haven,  found  her  entirely  helpless,  and  with  one  treat- 
ment had  her  walking  her  room.  The  next  day  she  walked  from  her  father's 
house  t!)  Dr.  Newton's  rooms  in  York  street.  She  also  visited  the  Doctor  in 
1866,  well  and  smart. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Toohy,  of  Hartford,  was  brought  into  our  rooms  in  her  husband's 
arms.  She  was  cured  instantly,  walked  out  to  the  hack  that  took  her  back  to  the 
cars.  Mrs.  Toohy  called  on  us  while  in  Hartford,  in  September,  well.  Her 
trouble  was  spinal  and  female  complaint. 

A  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Root,  from  Bristol,  Ct.,  had  his  knee  injured  by 
a  fall ;  could  not  bear  the  least  weight  on  the  injured  limb ;  was  able  to  walk 
away  comfortably  with  a  cane,  and  in  a  few  days  was  entirely  well.  His  uncle 
residing  in  New  Haven  often  spoke  to  me  of  the  remarkable  cure  of  his  nephew. 

Many  from  families  of  wealth  visited  Dr.  N.  in  New  Haven,  and  were  treated 
by  him ;  some  were  permanently  cured,  others  received  great  benefit.  Among 
those  visiting  him  were  Nelson  Hotchkiss,  Edwin  Marble,  Henry  Hooker,  and 
many  others. 

After  this  stay  in  New  Haven,  Dr.  N.  made  arrangements  to  visit  Plartford, 
which  we  did  the  following  September,  and  were  located  in  what  was  known  as 
the  Terry  Mansion  in  Pleasant  street. 


REMINISCE^XES    OF    DR.    NEWTON.  293 

While  in  Hartford,  Dr.  N.  had  his  usual  success,  and  many  wonderful  cures 
were  performed,  among  those  who  visited  him  were  C.  U.  C.  Burton,  the  Artist, 
who  was  made  to  walk  a  mile  at  a  time,  without  help  or  company  of  any  kind, 
whereas  he  could  not  walk  at  all  safely  without  assistance  previously. 

I  regret  exceedingly  that  I  have  no  record  or  minutes  of  any  kind  to  refresh 
my  memory  of  names  and  dates,  having  to  depend  entirely  upon  my  mental 
reflections  to  supply  this  deficiency;  but  when  I  attempt  to  g've  either,  they  may 
be  depended  upon  as  in  the  main  correct. 

While  we  were  in  Hartford,  Dr.  N.  received  an  invitation  to  spend  a  Sunday 
with  the  Shakers  at  Enfield,  Ct.  We  had  a  very  pleasant  visit,  and  the  Doctor 
treated  many  patients  successfully.  We  attended,  their  meeting  in  the  morning, 
and  were  treated  very  handsomely  by  these  quiet  people.  They,  being  generally 
spiritualists,  coincided  with  the  Doctor  on  religious  subjects,  which  made  the  day 
to  pass  harmoniously  and  pleasantly. 

In  Hartford,  w^e  were  visited  by  many  of  the  people  of  wealth  and  high  social 
standing,  and  by  the  press  were  treated  with  consideration  and  courtesy.  Mr. 
Burr,  of  the  Hartford  Times,  an  invalid  of  long  standing,  was  greatly  benefited 
by  the  treatment  of  Dr.  Newton.  His  paper  often  had  editorials  in  high  praise. 
The  Times  being  one  of  the  oldest  papers  in  Hartford,  lent  a  powerful  influence 
in  favor  of  Dr  Newton. 

After  our  labors  at  Hartford,  we  had  rest  for  a  few  weeks. 

About  the  first  of  December  we  opened  in  Washington,  D.  C,  where  we 
remained  till  after  New  Year's,  1864.  Dr.  Newton  had  for  patients  several 
heads  of  departments,  congressmen,  judges,  and  others  of  high  standing,  most  of 
whom  he  visited  at  their  residences  in  the  city.  Though  the  weather  was  ex- 
tremely cold,  the  Potomac  being  frozen  over,  we  had  a  very  pleasant  sojourn  of 
several  weeks,  and  then  returned  to  our  homes  to  pass  the  remainder  of  the 
winter,  having  agreed  to  open  a  spring  campaign  at  Springfield,  Mass. 

In  April,  1864,  we  opened  at  the  Union  House  in  Springfield — Dr.  Newton 
boarding  at  the  Massasoit.  Here  we  had  some  wonderful  cures,  one  of  which 
was  that  of  Thomas  W.  Wason,  the  car-builder,  who  was  relieved  of  a  tumor  in 
the  stomach  of  an  alarming  size.  Mr.  Wason  related  the  case  to  me  some  five 
or  six  months  afterward.  He  said  that  Dr.  Newton  told  him,  that  the  tumor 
would  pass  off  in  his  discharges  in  four  hours  and  a  half,  and  in  exactly  that 
length  of  time  it  did  pass  away,  and  in  great  quantity.  In  six  days  after  this, 
Mr.  W.  took  his  wife,  and  with  a  fine  span  of  horses  drove  to  Peterboro,  N.  H., 
a  distance  of  about  100  miles.  Mr.  Wason  sent  the  Doctor  his  check  for  $100. 
The  cure  of  Mr.  Wason  made  a  great  stir,  not  only  in  Springfield,  but  the  whole 
neighborhood,  and  people  flocked  in  crowds  to  our  rooms. 

Another  case  of  equal  prominence  was  that  of  Hon.  D.  L.  Harris,  formerly 
mayor  of  Springfield,  but  at  this  time  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature. 
Mr.  H.  had  been  injured  by  being  thrown  from  a  carriage,  and  had  been  under 
the  cure  of  the  best  physicians  in  Springfield,  Worcester,  and  Boston.  Dr.  N., 
through  his  clairvoyance,  discovered  the  trouble,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes 
had  Mr.  Harris  walking  without  his  crutches.  He  could  walk  without  even  a 
cane,  and  was  cured  by  the  first  treatment. 


294  THE    MODERN    EETHESDA. 

We  had  many  good  cases  in  Springfield,  but  as  I  cannot  recall  the  names,  I 
am  obliged  to  pass  them  by.  The  result  of  our  visit  was  extremely  satisfactory, 
not  only  to  us  but  to  all  friends  of  the  cause.     We  went  to  Worcester  in  May. 

The  next  move  we  made  was  to  cross  the  Atlantic,  a  long-talked-of  expedi- 
tion. Dr.  N.  hoped  he  would  be  permitted  to  lecture  to  the  people  in  the  market 
places  of  the  Old  World,  and  heal  the  poor  free.  Accordingly  we  sailed  from 
Boston,  July  i8th,  in  the  steamer  Asia;  had  a  very  pleasant  voyage,  but  found, 
on  our  arrival  in  England,  that  the  public  regulations  would  not  permit  open-air 
gatherings,  as  the  Doctor  had  expected.  So,  to  his  great  disappointment,  we 
were  compelled  to  relinquish  the  undertaking,  and  concluded  to  make  a  flying 
visit  to  the  continent,  and  return  home  in  season  for  a  fall  campaign. 

This  we  did,  opening  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  early  in  the  fall,  and  continuing 
there  till  cold  weather.  We  secured  operating  rooms  in  Washington  Hall,  with 
quarters  at  the  Osborn  House.  Here  we  had  a  great  run  of  visitors  with 
many  marvellous  cures.  But  the  most  interesting  cases  were  in  distant  cities 
and  towns,  which  Dr.  N.  visited  between  Saturday  afternoon  and  Monday  morn- 
ing. One  of  these  was  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  where  Dr.  N.  went  to  treat  Miss 
Libbie  Langdon,  whom  he  cured,  and  she  has  since  married  the  author  known 
as  "  Mark  Twain."  Dr.  N.  found  her  suffering  with  spinal  disease  ;  could  not  be 
raised  to  a  sitting  posture  in  her  bed  for  over  four  years.  She  was  almost  like 
death  itself.  With  one  characteristic  treatment  he  made  her  to  cross  the  room 
with  assistance,  and  in  a  few  days  the  cure  was  complete. 

Another  good  case  while  at  Rochester,  was  that  of  John  Magee,  of  Watkins, 
Steuben  Co.  Mr.  Magee  told  me  that  Dr.  N.  had  told  him  exactly  what  his 
trouble  was,  and,  while  at  dinner  at  the  Osborn  House,  said  that  he  felt  confident 
that  he  was  cured,  and  had  had  but  one  treatment.  Mr.  Magee  was  very  wealthy, 
and  voluntarily  paid  a  large  fee.  From  Rochester  we  returned  to  our  homes  in 
December,  expecting  to  open  in  Chicago  the  following  spring. 

While  we  were  in  Rochester,  we  made  short  visits  to  Auburn  and  Canan- 
daigua,  with  good  success.  Old  Allopathy  was  stirred  to  its  depths,  while  Old 
Theology  stood  aghast, — at  least,  the  leaders  thereof, — for  they  could  not  pre- 
vent their  followers  from  flocking  to  see  and  hear  for  themselves.  From  these 
two  professions  we  met  with  the  most  determined  opposition.  The  partisans  did 
not  dare  to  break  out  into  riot,  but  it  was  plain  to  see  the  old  leaven  at  work. 
But  all  liberal  minds  seemed  overjoyed,  and  came  to  see  the  Doctor  in  crowds. 
At  Auburn  we  met  with  men  who  were  untiring  in  their  acts  of  sympathy  and 
encouragement.  Many  were  the  wonders  performed  by  Dr.  Newton  in  this  gar- 
den of  Western  N.  Y. 

We  started  for  Chicago  early  in  March,  1865,  and  took  quarters  at  the  Sher- 
man House.  We  had  the  South  Parlor  on  the  principal  floor  for  reception  room, 
with  operating  rooms  connected.  We  were  in  Chicago  at  a  very  interesting  time 
of  our  national  troubles.  The  city  was  all  excitement.  Richmond  had  surren- 
dered. Grant  and  Sherman  were  getting  near  each  other.  Lee  and  Johnston 
were  between  them.  There  was  no  escape ;  consequently  the  war  was  at  an 
end.  Chicago  was  in  a  blaze  of  fire-works.  A  procession,  said  to  be  four  miles 
Jong,  was  gotten  up  in  less  than  half  an  hour  after  the  news  reached  the  city.     In 


REMINISCENCES    OF    DR.    NEWTON.  295 

the  midst  of  this  excitement,  we  had  our  rooms  full  of  patients  from  the  ad- 
jacent and  distant  country.  The  Sherman  House  was  thronged  during  our 
entire  stay  of  several  weeks.  Mr.  Sherman,  the  owner  of  the  Sherman  House, 
was  one  of  the  Doctor's  patients,  and  was  cured.  Mr.  McCormick,  the  inventor 
of  the  Reaper,  was  another  patient.  Invalids  came  from  Iowa,  Wisconsin, 
Michigan,  Indiana,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Minnesota,  and  from  Kentucky  and  Ten- 
nessee. The  like  was  never  seen  in  this  country.  It  was  equalled  only  by  the 
"pool  of  Bethesda." 

The  interesting  and  wonderful  cases  of  cure  were  numerous,  in  full  propor- 
tion to  the  number  of  visitors.  The  number  of  registered  names  must  have  been 
over  10,000,  but  fully  nine-tenths  were  free  patients,  or  those  not  liable  to  pay  for 
treatment — the  Doctor's  rule  being  that  if  a  patient  was  worth  less  than  $1000, 
he  or  she  was  cured  "  without  money  and  without  price." 

We  left  Chicago  in  April,  and  went  to  Davenport,  Iowa.  There  we  held  a 
session  at  the  Burtis  House.  We  had  a  good  run  of  visitors  whjle  there,  with 
about  our  usual  success.  It  was  while  we  were  at  Davenport  that  we  learned  the 
dreadful  news  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln.  This  news  so  over- 
whelmed us,  that  it  was  a  long  time  before  the  Doctor  could  rally  his  energies  for 
successful  treatment.  We  hardly  realized  how  much  we  loved  that  good  and 
great  man,  till  he  was  removed  by  the  violence  of  political  hate. 

From  Davenport  we  went  to  Springfield,  111.,  and  took  quarters  at  the  St. 
Nicholas  Hotel.  We  were  in  Springfield  at  the  time  of  the  funeral  obsequies  of 
President  Lincoln.  At  the  capitol  we  saw  his  remains  in  state  on  the  day  of  the 
funeral  ceremonies  ;  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel  had  a  flag  draped  in  every  window. 
In  Springfield  we  met  with  some  choice  spirits,  among  them  Hon.  Sharon  Tyn- 
dale,  the  Secretary  of  State  and  Hon.  A.  H.  Worthen,  State  Geologist  These 
gentlemen  were  frequent  visitors  to  Doctor  N.  while  we  were  there,  and 
brought  their  families  and  friends  to  the  Doctor's  rooms.  We  had,  as  usual,  a 
large  number  of  visitors,  and  our  success  was  good.  Aside  from  the  sad  duties 
of  the  funeral  obsequies  to  the  greatest  man  of  the  age,  we  had  a  very  pleasant 
stay  in  Springfield,  but  having  made  arrangements  for  a  visit  to  Toledo,  Ohio, 
we  were  obliged  to  depart  rather  abruptly  and  with  regret. 

Arriving  in  Toledo  early  in  May,  we  arranged  for  quarters  at  the  Oliver 
House.  We  had  two  large  parlors,  handsomely  furnished,  connected  by  folding 
doors,  and  a  third  room  across  the  hall,  where  laborers  and  others  less  cleanly 
were  treated.  Here  we  had  great  crowds  of  visitors,  and  some  of  the  most 
wonderful  cures  ever  witnessed  since  the  days  of  the  apostles.  One  of  them  I 
will  try  to  relate  as  witnessed  by  myself,  and  the  full  statement  of  the  case  was 
given  me  by  the  patient  herself.     I  will  relate  her  story  first. 

Her  name  was  Margaret  Fuller.  She  was  born  in  Berea,  a  town  adjoining  or 
near  by  Norwalk,  Ohio.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  she  fell  from  a  horse  by  the 
breaking  of  a  girth,  when  riding  through  a  slough,  and  in  her  fall  had  her  spine 
injured  so  that  her  lower  limbs  became  totally  paralyzed.  In  this  condition  she 
succeeded  in  getting  education  sufficient  to  teach  a  country  school.  Her  brothers 
built  a  sort  of  "  go-cart,"  in  which  they  used  to  draw  her  back  and  forth  from 
school.     She  finally  married  Mr.  Fuller,  and  went  to  live  at  Tontogany,  Wood 


296  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

Co.,  about  thirty  miles  south  of  Toledo.  She  had  eight  children ;  two  of  these 
children  were  in  the  northern  army ;  both  were  lieutenants.  Not  one  of  those 
eight  children  ever  saw  her  stand  on  her  feet  or  walk  a  step  in  their  lives. 

In  this  condition  she  was  brought  to  Dr.  Newton,  sitting  on  the  hands  of  two 
men.  I  passed  them  into  the  Doctor's  room  at  once,  and  in  less  than  ten  min- 
utes she  came  walking  into  my  room  with  the  hand  of  one  gentleman  in  her  left 
hand.  Thus  she  came  and  returned,  saying,  "  How  strange  this  seems  !  "  The 
Doctor's  door  being  ajar,  I  heard  him  say  in  answer  to  her  inquiry,  "  Will  this  last .'' 
-O,  will  it  last  ?  "  "You  how  go  and  have  a  nice  steak  broiled,  and  eat  a  good 
hearty  meal,  and  fear  nothing."  This  was  the  last  I  saw  of  her  till  after  we  had 
dined.  When  she  then  came  in,  she  was  ready  to  dance.  Then  it  was  that  she 
told  me  her  story,  which  I  have  related.  Some  of  her  party  had  returned  to 
Tontogany,  but  she  was  bent  upon  going  to  Norwalk,  instead  of  staying  at  the 
Oliver  House  ;  so  she  started  for  the  cars  in  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  and  in- 
sisted upon  walking  to  the  depot,  one-third  of  a  mile  distant,  which  she  did. 
She  met  some  acquaintances  in  Norwalk,  and  they  could  not  recognize  her. 

"  Why,  you  look  like  Margaret  Fuller,  but  she  can't  walk  !  " 

"  Well,  I  am  Margaret  Fuller." 

"  What  in  the  world  does  it  mean  ? " 

"  I've  been  to  see  Dr.  Newton,  in  Toledo,  and  he  has  cured  me." 

The  rush  of  invalids  to  the  pool  of  Bethesda  could  not  compare  with  the  rush 
of  cripples  and  invalids  from  the  neighborhood  of  Norwalk;  six  extra  cars  had 
to  be  added  to  the  morning  train  to  accommodate  those  wishing  to  visit  the 
"  great  healer," — some  out  of  curiosity,  perhaps — but  it  was  truly  wonderful.* 

Notwithstanding  all  these  evidences,  there  were  those  who  cried  "  Humbug !  " 
and  threatened  to  mob  us.  One  glorious  spirit,  a  noble,  broad-shouldered  man, 
told  them  which  side  they  would  find  him  and  his  friends  on.  This  was  Henry 
Breed.  A  nobler  man  than  Mr.  Breed  is  not  easily  found.  The  evil  spirits  were 
frightened.  They  dare  not  try  it.  This  was  the  cloven-foot  of  Old  Allopathy. 
Othello's  occupation  was  leaving. 

We  had  many  more  splendid  cases,  but  space  forbids  relating  them  here. 
Here  we  completed  our  labors  for  the  spring,  and  started  for  home  early  in  June, 
for  a  summer  vacation. 

The  next  move  we  made,  early  in  the  fall  or  last  of  summer,  was  to  Portland, 
Maine.  We  found  quarters  for  business  in  "  Casco  Hall,"  near  the  U.  S.  Hotel, 
Dr.  N.  stopping  at  the  Preble  House. 

We  met  many  warm  friends  in  Portland,  and  there  was  a  large  attendance 
at  the  Doctor's  morning  lectures,  which  always  took  place  before  the  work  of 
healing  began.  We  had  many  interesting  cases.  The  most  wonderful  were 
instantaneous  cures,  like  that  of  a  lad  brought  by  Dr.  Stone.  This  was  of  a 
most  singular  character.  A  boy,  some  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  of  age,  whom  Dr. 
Stone  had  known  from  childhood,  had  both  his  feet  turned  in  till  his  toes  pointed 
nearly  toward  each  other,  presenting  in  his  walk  a  great  deformity,  having  to  lift 
one  foot  over  the  other.     He  was  not  what  is  called  "  club  footed,"  for  his  feet 

*  A  notice  of  this  remarkable  case  will  be  found  in  a  paragraph  from  the  Toledo  Record,  in 
Chapter  X.,  page  133. 


REMINISCENCES    OF    DR.    NEWTON.  29/ 

and  toes  were  regular  in  shape.  Said  Dr.  Stone,  "  Can  you  do  anything  for  this 
lad.'*"  "Yes,"  replied  Dr.  N.  "come  here,  my  lad."  Dr.  N.  then  placed  his 
arm  over  the  boy's  shoulder,  with  his  hand  under  the  lad's  opposite  arm,  and, 
placing  his  feet  as  nearly  like  the  boy's  as  he  could,  said  to  him,  "  Now  you  do 
just  as  I  do.  Squat  down — down — down — down  further  "  (bearing  quite  heavily 
on  the  lad's  shoulder  at  the  same  time),  "  Now  turn  out  your  toes  !  "  Dr.  N. 
at  the  same  moment  turning  out  his  toes.  And,  wonderful  to  relate,  out  went 
the  lad's  toes,  but  rather  too  far  for  a  graceful  walker.  The  lad  lost  his  sham- 
bling gait,  and  afterward  visited  Dr.  N.  several  times  during  our  stay  in  Portland, 
erect  and  of  handsome  address  as  any  lad. 

We  were  under  great  obligations  to  many  friends  while  in  Portland. 

We  remained  there  several  weeks,  when  Dr.  N.  concluded  to  make  a  visit  to 
Columbus,  Ohio,  and  thus  close  up  the  season  which  had  thus  far  been  the  most 
interesting  of  any  that  we  had  passed  together. 

We  started  for  Columbus  early  in  October  ;  took  rooms  and  board  at  the  Neil 
House.  We  found  many  warm  friends  in  Columbus.  Of  those  I  recollect  I  will 
name  W.  M.  Savage,  jeweller;  J.  R.  Armstrong,  of  the  State  Journal ;  John 
Fowler,  M.D. ;  Nathan  Upton,  an  old  hero;  Mr.  Walker,  photographist;  and 
several  other  prominent  gentlemen.  From  these  we  received  many  acts  of 
sympathy  and  consideration,  and  hold  them  and  many  others  in  grateful  remem- 
brance. 

The  longer  I  remained  with  Dr.  Newton,  the  more  brightly  shone  his  great 
benevolence  of  character.  Many  were  the  days  that,  when  evening  came,  he 
had  given  away  in  charity  more  than  I  had  taken.  I  now  recollect  one  day  in 
particular,  when  we  were  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  The  day  had  been  unpleasant 
and  wet.  An  old  colored  man  came  hobbling  in  on  crutches,  all  drawn  out  of 
shape  by  rheumatism,  all  the  joints  of  his  fingers  anchylosed.  The  Doctor  said 
to  him  ! 

"  Well,  my  old  friend,  you  are  in  a  sad  state." 

"  Yes,  Massa." 

"  I  can't  do  much  for  you,  but  here  is  ten  dollars,  and  God  bless  you !  " 

With  tears  streaming  down  his  wrinkled  face  the  old  man  hobbled  away  on 
his  crutch  and  cane.     When  evening  came,  I  went  to  the  Doctor's  room. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Hill,  how  much  to-day  ? " 

"  Sixty-five  dollars,"  was  my  reply. 

"  Well,"  said  Dr.  N.,  "  I  guess  I'm  in  debt  then.  Let  me  see,"  and  calling 
over  the  cases  of  charity,  the  old  colored  man  with  the  rest,  he  found  that  he 
had  paid  out  seventy  dollars  that  day — five  dollars  more  than  I  had  received. 
Said  I,  "  You  will  not  get  rich  very  fast  at  that  rate."  "  Never  mind  ;  *  cast  your 
bread  upon  the  waters,'  "  was  his  reply.  I  never  heard  him  refer  to  the  subject 
afterward. 

I  cannot  recall  the  name  of  the  Mississippi  pilot  who  came  to  the  Neil  House, 
blind  as  a  mole,  led  by  a  gentleman,  and  after  treatment.  Dr.  N.  said  to  him, 
"  Before  you  reach  the  depot,  you  will  see  to  read  the  signs  across  the  street." 
This  was  verified,  and  Dr.  N.  received  a  letter  written  by  the  patient  saying  that 
he  could  see  nearly  as  well  as  ever,  and  believed  he  would  soon  be  able  to  return 


298  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

to  duty.  I  think  his  home  was  in  Indiana.  This  was  near  the  close  of  our 
engagement  in  Columbus.  We  bade  our  friends  farewell,  and  returned  home 
the  latter  part  of  November. 

Early  in  May,  1866,  we  opened  at  No.  6  St.  Mark's  Place,  New  York  city, 
Dr.  N.  hiring  the  whole  house  furnished.  We  needed  not  much  advertising  by 
newspapers.  We  had  more  than  we  could  well  take  care  of.  The  broad  steps 
in  front  of  the  house  would  commence  filling  by  early  sunrise,  three  hours  before 
patients  could  be  attended  to,  and  by  eight  o'clock,  the  sidewalk  would  be 
blocked  up,  so  that  two  policemen  had  much  difficulty  in  keeping  it  open  for  people 
to  pass  through.  Although  on  the  front  of  the  house  was  a  placard  that  the  house 
would  not  be  open  till  nine  o'clock,  we  had  to  keep  the  iron  gate  of  the  area 
fastened  to  keep  the  crowd  from  breaking  into  the  basement.  A  policeman  and  a 
detective  were  employed  at  an  expense  of  ten  or  fifteen  dollars  per  day.  The  back 
yard  was  large,  and  to  fill  that,  we  would  pass  them  through  the  main  hall,  about 
two  hundred  at  a  time,  and  then  pass  them  out  by  the  rear  area  and  basement 
hall.  Dr.  N.,  standing  under  the  back  piazza,  had  only  time  to  touch  the  patient 
and  say,  "  God  bless  you  !  pass  along  ;  "  or,  if  the  case  needed  further  attention, 
Dr.  N.  would  make  a  special  appointment  out  of  regular  hours.  When  all  this 
crowd  had  passed  through  the  two  halls  of  the  house,  the  doors  were  closed,  and 
the  police  ordered  the  crowd  to  disperse.  Then  Dr.  N.,  wet  through  with  per- 
spiration, retired  to  his  private  room ;  and  by  the  time  he  had  changed  his  gar- 
ments, and  refreshed  himself  by  bath  or  otherwise,  the  two  large  parlors  would 
be  filled  with  people  genteelly  dressed,  waiting  the  sound  of  the  Doctor's  bell, 
when  they  were  sent  up  stairs  to  his  private  room  to  see  what  could  be  done  for 
them. 

This  same  routine  was  followed  day  by  day  till  late  in  the  fall,  without  de- 
crease in  numbers,  but  the  reverse.  To  me  it  was  most  wonderful  how  Dr.  N. 
could  stand  such  a  strain  upon  his  nervous  and  physical  system. 

Horace  Greeley  was  a  frequent  visitor  to  Dr.  N.,  and  many  others  of  equal 
note  and  position.  Richard  B.  Connolly  could  tell  whether  he  received  the  value 
of  the  $50  he  paid  for  saving  his  eyes,  if  not  liis  life.  This  was  when  Mr.  Con- 
nolly lived  in  East  37th  street,  in  the  brown-stone  front  house.  This  was  years 
before  the  gigantic  thievery  of  the  Tweed  ring,  in  which  Mr.  Connolly  was  after- 
ward implicated. 

Gen.  Fremont  was  a  visitor,  and  made  arrangements  for  Dr.  N.  to  go  to 
Tarrytown.  Mr.  Gerritt  Smith  and  lady  called;  also  Mr.  Smith,  the  razor-strop 
man,  and  wife. 

I  knew  but  little  about  ungoverned  crowds,  till  I  saw  them  here ;  but  the 
police  knew  how  to  manage  them.  They  seldom  had  to  use  the  locust ;  a  small 
cane  seemed  to  give  sufficient  point  to  their  admonitions.  We  had  numerous 
good  cases,  worked  hard,  took  comfort,  and  finally  closed  early  in  November, 
after  a  six-months'  session.  The  only  rest  we  had  was  about  two  weeks  vacation 
in  September.  Before  I  parted  with  Dr.  N.,  we  made  arrangements  for  1867, 
agreeing  upon  Boston  as  the  next  point ;  and  thus  we  bid  farewell  to  New  York 
and  all  her  wealth  and  comfort,  and  returned  to  our  several  homes. 

In  April,  1867,  we  met  in  Boston,  but  before   entering  upon  our  summer 


REMINISCENCES    OF    DR.    NEWTON,  299 

labors,  Dr.  N.  accepted  an  urgent  invitation  to  make  a  short  visit  to  Salem.  After 
a  stay  of  a  few  weeks,  we  went  to  Boston,  No.  20  Boylston  Street.  Here  we 
found  numerous  friends  that  flocked  to  greet  the  Doctor  on  every  hand.  Almost 
every  evening  was  passed  in  private  houses,  at  lectures,  or  at  our  own  rooms, 
when  large  numbers  would  gather. 

Boston,  with  the  numerous  railroads  centering  there,  is  a  glorious  location 
for  New  England  people  to  gather.  We  had  large  crowds  daily,  and  many  in- 
teresting and  marvellous  cures.  I  will  relate  one  case  that  seems"  freshest  in  my 
memory — that  of  Miss  Amanda  M.  Hubbard,  of  Winthrop  street,  Roxbury,  Mass. 
This  young  lady  was  sixteen  or  eighteen  years  of  age.  She  had  been  bedridden 
for  several  years,  unable  to  even  sit  up  in  a  chair,  when  removed  from  her  bed ; 
could  not  bear  to  be  raised  to  a  sitting  posture.  Dr.  N.  visited  her  at  her  father's 
house,  and  in  half  an  hour  she  was  perfectly  cured.  The  next  day  she  was  able 
to  ride  in  a  buggy  with  her  father  to  our  rooms  in  Boylston  Street.  In  a  few  days 
she  was  able  to  walk  a  mile  without  assistance.  She  called  on  the  Doctor  fre- 
quently while  we  were  in  Boston,  not  for  treatment,  but  out  of  gratitude ;  and 
often  I  heard  her  relate  her  marvellous  case  to  other  ladies  that  were  waiting  for 
treatment.  She  was  able  to  resume  her  studies,  and  I  believe  she  finally  gradu- 
ated in  one  of  Boston's  famous  schools,  and  has  since  married. 

Another  case  similar  to  the  foregoing,  was  that  of  a  lady  from  Brewster,  Mass. 
Her  name  has  escaped  me,  but  the  novelty  of  the  case  was  such  that  I  cannot  for- 
bear giving  the  most  singular  portion  of  it.  She  was  deemed  too  sick  to  be 
removed  from  the  cars  ;  so  the  gentleman  arranged  with  Dr.  N.  to  visit  her  in 
the  cars,  and  treat  her  there.  Shortly  Dr.  N.  had  the  lady  walking  through  the 
car,  and  when  the  train  returned,  the  lady  returned  home.  Disease,  spinal  com- 
plaint. 

Edwin  Forrest  was  a  patient  of  Dr.  Newton  while  we  were  in  Boston,  and 
many  others  of  equal  note.  Dr.  N.  visited  many  persons  in  and  out  of  the  city, 
who  were  unable  to  visit  him,  in  the  evenings,  after  business  hours,  and  generally 
with  marked  success. 

This  campaign,  at  Salem  and  Boston,  lasted  about  six  months,  with  great 
results,  both  as  to  numbers  and  success  in  cures. 

At  Boston  we  parted  for  the  season,  not  knowing  what  would  happen  the 
following  year  ;  but  it  finally  resulted  in  Dr.  Newton's  visiting  Montreal  and 
Detroit  alone.     I  engaged  in  other  pursuits,  and  so  our  connection  ended. 

Thus  passed  five  years  of  my  declining  days.  And  in  closing  this  imperfect 
though  truthful  narrative,  I  cannot  omit  giving  my  impressions  of  what  I  had 
witnessed,  especially  of  Doctor  Newton  personally,  the  great  central  attraction 
of  the  incidents  I  have  related. 

To  me  Dr.  Newton  was  more  than  generous.  He  was  not  only  generous  and 
charitable,  but  noble  in  character,  just  in  all  his  dealings.  I  could  not  help 
loving  him  for  what  he  was.  Though  my  junior  in  years,  he  was  like  an  elder 
brother  or  father. 

From  his  lips  I  never  heard  a  profane  or  obscene  word  or  expression,  and 
nothing  seemed  to  offend  him  more  than  to  have  such  used  in  his  presence.  He 
is  a  man  of  powerful  physique  and  strong  passions,  and  did  he  hear  the  word 


300  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

"  humbug  "  used  as  applied  to  him,  the  fire  of  that  dark  hazel  eye  and  a  simple 
admonition  were  sufficient  to  make  the  stoutest  and  most  hardened  quail,  and 
humbly  apologize,  or  quickly  leave  his  presence.  Though  benevolence  was  his 
most  prominent  characteristic,  yet  cheerfulness  was  a  marked  trait  also.  When 
not  busy  with  patients  he  would  often  be  heard  humming  : — 

"  *  Come,  come,  bonnie  lassie,'  cried  Sandj',  'awa, 
While  mither  is  spinning  and  father''s  afar  ? 

Or  perhaps  the  land  of  the  Shamrock  would  find  him  a  worshipper  at  ner 
feet,  with — 

"  No  longer  the  ioy  of  the  sailor  boy's  breast, 
Was  heard  in  his  wildly  breath'd  numbers." 

He  was  a  man  of  regular  habits,  always  retiring  by  ten  o'cIock,  unless  engaged 
in  visiting  the  sick,  or  perhaps  amused  with  a  game  of  dominoes.  I  never  saw  him 
touch  a  card  or  cue,  and  he  seldom  took  any  stimulant,  but  more  frequently  the 
bath  was  his  restorative.  His  physical  and  nervous  system  would  stand  a  harder 
strain  than  any  person  I  ever  met,  and  yet  he  would  appear  the  next  morning  as 
bright  as  the  lark.  If  at  all  ailing,  he  would  ask  me  to  lend  him  of  my  magnet- 
ism, when  I  would  sit  down  by  him,  with  my  hand  on  his  head,  or  his  hands  in 
mine,  and  in  a  few  minutes  would  be  as  fresh  as  ever. 

One  great  peculiarity  of  Doctor  Newton  was  cleanliness  and  neatness.  When 
we  occupied  nice  quarters,  with  expensive  carpets,  furniture  and  finely  finished 
walls,  he  would  in  the  summer  cover  the  carpets  with  rush  matting,  or,  if  the 
weather  was  cool,  with  drugget ;  the  walls  he  would  cover  with  wide  cotton  cloth 
to  prevent  the  paper  from  getting  soiled,  or  the  plastering  from  getting  broken 
during  his  occupancy.  And  he  usually  paid  a  higher  price  for  the  rooms  we 
occupied  than  was  paid  by  the  tenant  for  the  whole  house.  This  usually  proved 
a  godsend  to  the  tenant,  especially  if  it  happened  to  be  a  widow  struggling 
along  with  a  few;  boarders,  as  was  sometimes  the  case ;  and  I  am  confident  that 
we  left  with  the  regret  of  the  party  of  whom  Dr.  N.  hired  the  premises.  The 
carpets  and  wall-covering  were  generally  left  behind  as  a  present  to  the  land- 
lady, for  which  he  received  many  expressed  thanks. 

As  to  Dr.  Newton's  power  in  healing,  it  always  was  to  me  an  unfathomed 
mystery.  Every  day  brought  something  new  and  strange — as  strange  to  me  as 
it  could  be  to  the  patient.  Yet  the  effect  seemed  to  be  expected  by  the  Doctor. 
When  questioned  by  men  of  skeptical  character,  he  would  reply,  "  What  says  the 
Great  Teacher  ?  '  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  he  that  lives  as  I  live,  the  works 
that  I  do  shall  he  do  also,  and  greater  works.'  What !  greater  works  than  the 
Great  Master  ?  Did  not  He  raise  the  dead  ?  How  are  his  followers  to  do 
greater  things  than  He  did  ?  Yes  !  we  may,  if  we  live  as  Jesus  lived."  This 
would  always  silence  the  bigot,  but  the  liberal  soul  would  see  the  point  and 
strength  of  the  argument.  The  fool  and  the  bigot  may  sneer,  but  they  cannot 
answer.  You  will  seldom  find  a  New  Testament  that  showed  greater  marks  of 
study,  from  Matthew  to  Revelation,  than  the  copy  used  by  Dr.  Newton. 


REMINISCENCES    OF    DR.    NEWTON.  3 OX 

Should  I  live  to  copy  what  I  have  written,  I  will  send  it  to  Doctor  Newton ; 
but  as  he  is  averse  to  long  letters,  perhaps  he  will  throw  this  aside  unread. 

May  my  good  friend  live  to  a  good  old  age  and  continue  to  dispense  his 
healing  power,  till  after  I  have  visited  spirit-land  ;  and  may  I  return  to  strengthen 
and  bless  him  the  most  esteemed  friend  I  have  on  earth,  and  the  great  blessing 
of  his  age  and  generation. 

AUSTIN  A.  HILL. 
West  Haven,  Conn.  ) 
1875.  3 


302  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

RAISING   THE    DEAD,  ETC. 

Extravagant  Demands. — Difficulty  of  Proving  Actual  Death.— Cases  of  Suspended  Ani- 
mation somewhat  Frequent. — Conclusive  Proof  of  Actual  Death  necessary  before  we 
can  credit  a  Resurrection. — Such  Proof  wanting  in  New  Testament  Cases. — J  aims' 
Daughter  "Not  Dead  but  Sleeping." — The  Widow's  Son  probably  the  Same. — 
Lazarus  ditto. — No  Proof  to  the  Contrary. — Cases  of  Dorcas  and  Eutychus. — No 
Similar  Case  brought  to  Dr.  Newton. — Partial  Paralysis  of  a  Like  Nature. — A  Vague 
Claim. — Jesus'  Healing  Depended  on  Conditions. — Easy  Assumptions. — Difficult 
Proofs. — Ancient  Marvels  should  be  judged  by  Modern  Facts. 

When  Dr.  Newton  has  affirmed  that  he  healed  the  sick  by 
the  same  power  that  was  exercised  by  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  he 
has  often  been  met  by  the  demand,  "Can  you  raise  the  dead? 
Do  you  heal  all  manner  of  diseases,  as  Jesus  did  ?  "  And  since  no 
such  extravagant  claims  are  made  by  the  modern  healer,  some 
insist  upon  regarding  him  as  a  "  pretender,"  an  "  impostor,"  and 
even  a  "  blasphemer."  It  is  improbable  that  few  who  make  this  de- 
mand have  ever  critically  examined  the  New  Testament  accounts 
of  "  raising  the  dead,"  or  have  considered  what  would  be  regarded 
as  conclusive  of  such  a  "  miracle  "  in  our  day.  A  few  thoughts 
on  that  subject  may,  therefore,  not  be  amiss  in  these  closing  pages. 

First,  let  us  ask  what  would  be  aecepted  as  satisfactory  proof 
of  raising  a  dead  person  to  life  in  these  days  ?  Evidently,  there 
must  first  be  produced  conclusive  proof  of  death — that  is,  of  the 
actual  and  total  separation  of  the  spirit  from  the  body.  But  in 
view  of  the  somewhat  frequent  occurrence  of  cases  of  suspended 
animation,  death-like  trance,  or  apparent  death,  continuing  for 
hours,  and  in  some  instances  for  days,  this  proof  is  not  always  easy 
to  obtain. 

Cases  are  not  very  rare  in  which  seeming  corpses,  prepared  for 
burial,  have  been  reanimated,  just  in  time,  perhaps,  to  avoid  burial 


RAISING    THE    DEAD,    ETC.  303 

alive  ;*  and  now  and  then  we  have  the  harrowing  story  of  a  coffin 
opened  for  some  purpose,  after  weeks  or  months  of  entombment, 
to  find  appalling  evidence  of  a  premature  inhumation.  Oriental 
magicians  are  said  to  acquire  the  power  of  voluntarily  simulating 
death,  so  that  they  may  be  securely  buried  for  days  and  even  a 
month,  resuming  the  functions  of  life  on  being  exhumed  at  the 
stipulated  time. 

In  view  of  such  facts,  it  is  clearly  not  an  easy  matter  to  be  ab- 
solutely sure  that  a  person  is  actually  dead  who  appears  so  to  ordi- 
nary observers  ;  and  probably  many  more  premature  burials  take 
place  than  most  people  dream  of.  Surely,  were  the  claim  made 
that  Dr.  Newton  or  any  other  person  at  the  present  day  had  per- 
formed the  "  notable  miracle  "  of  bringing  a  dead  body  to  life,  we 
should  demand  evidence  of  actual  death  no  less  reliable,  certainly, 
than  the  certificate  of  a  medical  expert  who  had  thoroughly  exam- 
ined the  case.  Ought  we,  as  rational  beings,  to  be  satisfied  with 
any  less  conclusive  proof  in  regard  to  a  case  alleged  to  have  hap- 
pened eighteen  hundred  years  ago }  But  have  we  any  such 
evidence  in  any  of  the  cases  reported  in  the  New  Testament  ?  No 
one  will  pretend  it.  On  the  contrary,  the  narratives  themselves 
give  us,  in  one  cdiSQ  positive,  and  in  the  othG^rs  probable,  evidence  that 
actual  death  had  not  taken  place. 

The  cases  on  record  in  that  book  are  five — namely,  that  of 
Jairus*  daughter  (Matt,  ix.,  Mark  v.,  Luke  viii.),  the  widow's  son 
at  Nain  (Luke  vii.),  Lazarus  (John  xi;),  Dorcas  (Acts  ix.),  and 
Eut3-chus  (Acts  xx.). 

In  the  first  case,  the  only  thing  like  a  physician's  certificate  that 
we  have  is  the  testimony  of  Jesus.  He  positively  declared,  on 
reaching  the  house,  "  the  maid  is  not  dead,  but  sleepeth  "  (/.  e.,  is  in 
a  trance).     The  people,  probably  unaccustomed  to  the  phenomenon 

*  While  preparing  these  pages,  a  paragraph  in  the  newspapers  states,  in  effect,  that  in  Cincin- 
nati, recently,  a  corpse,  prepared  for  burial,  with  which  two  young  men  were  watching  at  night, 
suddenly  arose  and  sat  up  in  the  coffin,  and  looking  about  said,  "  I  feel  very  queer !  "  Whereat 
the  young  men  were  so  frightened  that  they  "  leaped  through  an  open  window  and  took  to  their 
heels." 

A  still  later  case  is  the  following,  under  date  of  Nov.  30,  1875  : — 

"  At  the  conclusion  of  funeral  services  over  the  body  of  a  child  aged  four  years,  at  Saiem, 
Mass.,  yesterday  afternoon,  the  supposed  corpse  opened  and  immediately  closed  its  eyes,  just  as 
the  coffin  was  closed  for  the  last  time.  The  child  had  apparently  died  last  Friday.  The  funeral 
immediately  came  to  a  close." 


304  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

of  suspended  animation,  were  so  sure  he  was  mistaken  that  they 
*'  laughed  him  to  scorn."  He  doubtless  perceived  clairvoyantly 
what  they  could  not  see,  namely,  that  her  death  was  only  seeming, 
not  actual,  and  he  acted  accordingly.  He  "took  her  by  the 
hand  and  said  "  (addressing  her  as  if  actually  present  in  the  body 
— not  separated  from  it),  "  Damsel,  I  say  unto  thee,  arise.  And 
straightway  she  arose,  and  walked."  It  is  safe  to  presume  that 
Jesus  knew  better  than  did  the  ignorant  people  what  was  the  fact 
in  this  case. 

In  the  instance  of  the  widow's  son,  Jesus'  opinion  is  not  given 
in  words,  only  in  his  acts.  The  account  states  that  the  young  man 
"  was  dead  ; "  but  Jesus  acted  as  if  it  was  only  a  case  of  trance. 
He  "  touched  the  bier,"  perhaps  to  impart  a  vital-electric  shock, 
by  which  to  break  the  spell.  Then  he  said  (addressing  the  young 
man  as  if  there  present  in  the  body,  and  not  departed  to  another 
world),  "  Young  man,  I  say  unto  thee,  arise.  And  he  that  was 
dead  sat  up  and  began  to  speak."  There  is  no  satisfactory  proof 
that  here  was  anything  more  than  seeming  death,  which  the  people, 
and  the  narrator  no  doubt,  supposed  was  real. 

As  to  the  case  of  Lazarus,  the  account  is  somewhat  confused 
and  inconsistent  with  itself — at  least,  would  be  so  considered  if 
found  in  any  other  book  but  the  Bible.  It  is  stated  that  at  first, 
when  Jesus  was  informed  of  Lazarus'  sickness,  he  said,  "  This 
sickness  is  not  unto  death"  After  that  he  said  to  his  disciples, 
"  Our  friend,  Lazarus,  sleepeth  :  but  I  go  that  I  may  awake  him  out 
of  sleep."  That  he  did  not  mean  ordinary  sleep  here,  is  evident 
from  the  fact  that  it  would  be  wholly  unnecessary  for  him  to  under- 
take a  long  and  dangerous  journey,  as  he  proposed,  to  wake  a  man 
from  ordinary  repose.  Here  again  he  doubtless  perceived  clair- 
voyantly that  it  was  a  case  of  death-like  trance  or  suspended  ani- 
mation. But  his  disciples,  not  understanding  it,  thought  he  meant 
common  sleep.  To  correct  their  mistake,  we  are  told,  he  after- 
wards "  said  unto  them  plainly,  Lazarus  is  dead."  As  this  does 
not  comport  with  his  previous  statement  that  his  sickness  was  "  not 
unto  death,"  it  seems  probable  that  his  exact  words  or  meaning 
may  not  have  been  apprehended  by  the  narrator.  It  would  appear 
more  likely  that  he  meant  to  give  the  disciples  to  understand  that 
it  was  not  a  case  of  ordinary  sleep,  yet  was  a  kind  of  sleep  which 


RAISING    THE    DEAD,    ETC.  305 

would  result  in  death  if  he  did  not  go  to  awaken  tlie  sleeper.  And 
when  he  came  to  Bethany,  and  found  that  Lazarus  had  lain  in  the 
grave  four  days  already,  so  that  the  family  thought  decomposition 
had  commenced  (as  probably  it  would  have  done,  had  the  spirit 
really  withdrawn),  he  did  not  proceed  to  summon  the  departed 
spirit  back  from  the  world  of  souls.  He  did  not  say,  "  Lazarus, 
come  back  into  your  lifeless  body !  "  But,  standing  by  the  opened 
cave  in  which  the  body  had  been  deposited,  he  "  cried  with  a  loud 
voice,  Lazarus,  come  forth  !  "  He  addressed  his  friend  as  in  the 
cave,  and  in  the  body — not  outside  somewhere,  as  a  disembodied 
spirit  would  have  been.  And  he  spoke  with  a  loud  voice,  so  that 
the  shock  might  arouse  the  paralyzed  nervous  system,  and  thus 
enable  the  imprisoned  man  to  regain  control  of  it — just  as  healers 
now-a-days  often  find  it  necessary  to  shout  in  the  most  positive 
tones  in  the  ears  of  partial  paralytics,  in  order  to  startle  the  nerve- 
currents  into  action.  "  And  he  that  was  (apparently)  dead  came 
forth,  bound  hand  and  foot,"  etc. 

Here,  again,  we  submit  that,  in  view  of  the  cases  of  burial  during 
suspended  animation  which  have  occurred  in  modern  times,  there 
is  no  conclusive  proof  that  the  spirit  of  Lazarus  had  fully  quit  the 
body,  but  there  is  probable  evidence  in  the  narrative  itself  of  the 
contrary.* 

In  the  remaining  instances  of  Dorcas  and  Eutychus,  similar 
evidences  crop  out.  Peter,  taking  Dorcas,  or  Tabitha,  by  the  hand, 
said,  "  Tabitha,  arise,"  addressing  her  as  Jesus  had  done  in  the 
preceding  cases,  as  being  there  present  in  the  seemingly  dead  body  ; 
while  Paul,  after  embracing  the  young  man,  Eutychus,  supposed  to 
have  been  killed  by  falling  out  of  a  window,  said  distinctly, 
"  Trouble  not  yourselves  ;  for  his  life  is  in  him,^^ — that  is,  he  is  not 
dead,  as  you  suppose. 

In  such  cases  of  apparent  death,  or  complete  paralysis,  re- 
animation  may  no  doubt  be  effected  by  various  means — as  by  the 
electric  touch  of  a  powerful  healer,  or  the  shock  of  a  loud  voice 
appealing  to  the  mind,  or  perhaps  the  puncture  of  a  nerve  in  a  par- 

*  We  might  ask,  if  it  be  a  fact  that  Lazarus  and  the  others  were  raised  from  actual  death,  what 
becomes  of  the  doctrine  so  often  insisted  upon,  and  plainly  taught  by  Paul,  that  Jesus  himself  was 
the  first  to  be  raised—"  the  first-fruits  of  them  that  slept  ?  "  He  would  have  been  th^/ourth,  in- 
stead of  the  first— not  reckoning  Old  Testament  cases.  We  leave  this  for  sticklers  for  verbal 
accuracy  to  settle  for  themselves. 

20 


306  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

ticular  part — and  it  sometimes  appears  to  take  place  in  the  natural 
course  of  things,  without  the  use  of  any  means,  as  in  those  supposed 
corpses  which  awake  and  startle  their  attendants,  and  those,  too, 
who  awake  only  to  be  suffocated  in  their  coffins.  * 

Now,  there  is  no  instance  on  record,  in  the  foregoing  pages,  in 
which  a  person  supposed  to  be  dead  but  actually  in  this  peculiar 
trance,  has  been  brought  under  the  hands  of  Dr.  Newton — though 
there  have  been  some  very  near  approaches  to  death,  as  the  reader 
will  have  noticed.  Had  such  cases  been  presented,  no  good 
reason  appears  why  the  result  should  not  have  been  the  same  as 
stated  in  these  New  Testament  examples.  At  all  events,  the  proof 
is  ample  that  Dr.  N.  has  restored  mTixiy  partial  paralytics  to  the  full 
use  and  control  of  their  bodies ;  and  the  form  of  trance  under  coa- 
sideration  seems  to  be  only  a  total  paralysis  or  loss  of  control  of 
the  entire  nervous  and  muscular  systems  for  the  time. 

As  to  the  claim  that  Jesus  healed  "  all  manner  of  diseases," 
whereas  modern  healers  fail  in  many  cases  that  are  brought  to 
them,  it  must  be  admitted  by  those  who  urge  it  that  the  claim  is 
a  somewhat  vague  one.  To  make  it  of  any  force  in  the  argument 
in  hand,  we  need  to  know  that  precisely  the  same  types  of  disease, 
under  exactly  the  same  conditions  in  all  respects,  which  readily 
yielded  to  the  power  of  Jesus,  resist  the  curative  force  of  modern 
healers.  This  knowledge,  owing  to  the  lack  of  any  competent  and 
critical  diagnosis  in  New  Testament  cases,  we  can  never  have  ; 
and  hence  it  is  useless  to  indulge  in  any  assumptions  in  the 
matter. 

That  the  healing  power  of  Jesus  was  dependent  on  conditions, 
and  conditions  of  precisely  the  same  nature  as  are  found  requisite 
now,  is  evident  from  the  statement  that  he  "  could  do  no  mighty 
works  "  in  one  locality,  "  because  of  the  unbelief  "  of  the  people. 
(Mark  vi.)  And  that  the  power  exercised  by  his  disciples  was  not 
an  irresistible  and  measureless  divine  energy  poured  through  them, 
as  some  imagine,  but  was  dependent  on  their  own  physical  and 

*  The  writer  remembers  reading,  many  years  ago— he  cannot  now  recall  the  authority— the 
narrative  of  a  gentleman  who  claimed  to  have  been  entombed  alive,  in  this  state  of  complete 
paralysis,  mistaken  for  death.  He  was  yet  able  to  hear  all  that  was  going  on  about  him.  After 
hours  of  helpless,  hopeless  agony,  he  was  exhumed  by  some  medical  students  who  had  doomed 
him  to  a  still  more  horrible  fate  on  the  dissecting  table.  The  first  puncture  of  the  dissecting 
knife,  however,  broke  the  spell,  and  he  was  rescued.  This  may  have  been  a  fancy  sketch,  but 
there  seems  nothing  improbable  in  it. 


RAISING   THE    DEAD,    ETC.  30/ 

spiritual  states,  is  also  clear  from  the  instructions  given  them  in  a" 
case  of  humiliating  failure.  "  This  kind,"  said  Jesus,  "  goeth  not 
out  but  by  prayer  and  fasting"  (Matt.  xvii.  21) — precisely  the  means 
found  conducive,  by  modern  healers,  under  certain  circumstances, 
to  the  increase  of  spiritual  power.  Being  thus  amenable  to  the 
same  laws  and  conditions,  the  rational  conclusion  is  that  the  power 
was  essentially  the  same. 

It  is  easy  to  imagine  that  ancient  cures  and  other  wonderful 
works  were  performed  in  a  certain  manner,  and  were  characterized 
by  certain  features,  which  we  fail  to  see  in  the  modern  ;  but  to 
present  any  valid  evidence  of  such  difference  is  not  so  easy.  It  is 
possible  that  our  educationally-derived  conceptions  of  these  matters 
are  mistaken.  It  is  easy  to  give  credence  to  what  has  been  taught 
us  from  childhood,  however  improbable,  even  though  we  may  have 
accustomed  ourselves  to  question  modern  marvels  with  a  sturdy 
incredulity.  It  would  seem  far  more  rational,  then,  instead  of 
setting  up  our  possibly  erroneous  conceptions  of  ancient  miracles 
as  a  standard  by  which  to  measure  and  judge  of  all  modern  works 
and  workers,  that  we  should  reverse  the  process,  and  judge  of  the 
remote  and  doubtful  by  the  recent  and  well-attested. 

We  may  safely  believe  that  whatever  occurs  in  our  own  time, 
however  wonderful,  may  also  have  occurred  eighteen  hundred  or 
four  thousand  years  ago  ;  and  hence  that  the  marvellous  narratives 
contained  in  the  Bible  are  substantially  true  *so  far  as  they  are 
paralleled  by  the  events  taking  place  at  the  present  day.  If  to  any 
extent  those  ancient  narratives  go  beyond  all  modern  experience, 
and  relate  what  seems  improbable  in  itself,  then  it  is  a  fair  question 
whether  the  narrators,  conceding  their  honesty,  did  not  to  some 
extent  misconceive  the  facts  they  attempted  to  state. 

The  proper  thing  to  do,  therefore,  would  seem  to  be,  instead  of 
assuming  the  utterly  exceptional  character  of  Bible  marvels,  to 
carefully  and  candidly  acquaint  ourselves  with  occurrences  of  a 
similar  nature  taking  place  at  the  present  day,  and  thus  acquire  a 
solid  basis  of  knowledge  on  which  to  build  a  rational  faith  in  the 
wonders  of  the  past  and  the  possibilities  of  the  future.  That  can- 
not be  a  healthy  mental  habit,  which  readily  accepts  an  ancient 
"  miracle,"  however  marvellous,  and  yet  stubbornly  refuses  credence 
to  modern  occurrences  of  a  like  nature. 

"  Prove  all  things,  and  hold  fast  that  which  is  good." 


308  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

FAITH,  HOPE,    AND    LOVE,  AS    CURATIVE    AGENCIES. WHY   SOME  ARE 

NOT    HEALED. 

Faith  has  a  Therapeutic  Value. — Recognized  by  Medical  Men. — Testimony  of  Dr.  Brown- 
Sequard. — Analysis  of  Faith. — Dynamics  of  Expectation. — Opens  the  Door  to  Influx 
of  Curative  Energy. — Prayer  aids  the  Process. — Transfusion  of  Blood  and  of  Vital 
Forces. — Hope  Attendant  upon  Faith. — Unbelief  Closes  the  Door. — Easy  Believers 
easily  Healed. — Doubters  Healed  with  Difficulty. — Skepticism  has  its  Disadvantages. 
— Explanation  of  Positive  Assurances  of  Cure. — Some  Patients  seemingly  incapable 
of  Faith. — A  Misfortune  more  than  a  Fault. — Charity  and  Justice. — Adaptation  of 
Atmospheres. — Love,  or  Good- Will  indispensable  in  the  Healer. — The  Healing  Force 
is  Essential  Love. — The  Curative  Gift  may  become  a  Science  and  an  Art. — A  For- 
ward Step  in  Human  Progress. 

Despite  the  sneers  of  skeptics,  and  the  cavils  of  superficial 
votaries  of  "medical  science,"  it  is  becoming  evident  that  faith 
has  a  therapeutic  value  of  the  highest  importance.  It  would  seem 
that  Jesus  uttered  no  arbitrary  dictum  of  a  wild  enthusiast  when  he 
said  to  applicants  for  healing,  "  According  to  your  faith  be  it  unto 
you,"  and  "  Thy  faith  had  made  thee  whole."  Nor  was  it  merely 
a  burst  of  extravagance  when  he  said  to  the  father  of  a  young  suf- 
ferer, "  If  thou  canst  believe,  all  things  are  possible  to  him  that 
believeth," — doubtless  meaning  all  possible  things.  Neither  is  there 
fanaticism  or  quackery  in  the  requirement  of  faith  by  the  modern 
healer.  The  most  competent  and  successful  medical  practitioners 
of  all  schools,  in  our  day,  are  coming  to  acknowledge  the  virtues 
of  faith.  Says  Dr.  Brown-Sequard,  than  whom  no  scientific  author- 
ity of  higher  repute  in  nervous  diseases  can  be  quoted,  "If  we 
physicians,  who  treat  patients  every  day,  had  the  power  to  make 
them  believe  that  they  are  to  be  cured,  especially  if  we  could  name 
a  time  for  it,  it  would  be  a  great  element  in  success.  I  have  suc- 
ceeded  sometimes,  and  I  can  say  that  I  succeed  more  than  for- 


FAITH,    HOPE,    AND    LOVE,    AS    CURATIVE    AGENCIES.       3O9 

merly,  because  I  have  myself  the  faith  that  I  can  in  giving  faith 
obtain  a  cure." 

There  is  no  mysticism  nor  charlatanry  in  this,  as  we  may  see 
by  a  simple  analysis  of  that  mental  state  designated  by  the  word 
faith. 

An  old  definition  reads,  "  faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped 
for,  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen,"  or,  as  the  Union 
translation  puts  it  more  clearly,  "faith  is  the  assurance  of 
things  hoped  for,  the  conviction  of  things  not  seen."  One  ele- 
ment in  faith  is  expectation.  It  is  a  law  of  psychical  dynamics 
that  confident  expectation  tends  to  induce  the  result  expected.  Expecta- 
tion of  good  is  called  hope.  Every  intelligent  physician — yes,  every 
intelligent  person — knows  the  value  of  hopeful  confidence  as  a 
therapeutic  agent.  Hopelessness,  despair,  in  a  patient,  is  the  worst 
feature  in  any  case.  Hence  the  first  and  often  chief  effort  of  a 
skilful  practitioner,  in  a  doubtful  case,  is  to  arouse  in  the  despond- 
ing patient  the  hope  and  belief  that  he  can  and  will  recover — even 
though  the  physician  himself  may  have  little  expectation  of  such  a 
result.  In  many  causes,  as  every  experienced  medical  man 
knows,  this  hopeful  expectation  is  all  that  is  needed  to  effect  a  cure 
— though  the  patient  may  require  to  be  amused  meantime  with  some 
harmless  prescription,  which  may  as  well  be  bread-pills  or  dainty 
sugar-pellets  as  anything  else.  It  is  commonly  said  that  such  cures 
are  wrought  by  imagination^  but  probably  expectation  or  faith  is  the 
more  proper  term.  Imagination  implies  a  conception  of  something 
unreal,  \\\\\\^  faith  lays  hold  of  that  which  is  real,  though  unseen. 

The  truth  of  the  matter  doubtless  is,  that  faith,  or  confident, 
cheerful  expectation,  not  only  invites  the  free  action  of  that  interior 
recuperative  force  (learnedly  called  the  vis  medicatrix  naturoe)  which 
resides  in  every  organic  being,  and  without  which  no  medicine  has 
any  healing  value,  but  it  also  opens  the  door  to  the  infiux  of  vital 
curative  energy  from  without — that  is,  from  either  a  visible  human 
healer,  or  from  invisible  but  potent  healing  agencies  which  sur- 
round us  on  every  hand.  Earnest  prayer,  no  doubt,  aids  this  pro- 
cess, inasmuch  as  it  implies  and  produces  openness  or  receptivity 
of  spirit.  Through  tl.is  opened  channel,  the  positive  will  or  energy 
of -the  healer  (visible  or  invisible)  is  admitted  in  some  real  sense 
into  the  interior  organism  of  the  sufferer  (as  explained  in  the  re- 


3IO  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

markable  spirit-message  given  in  Chapter  III.),  and  is  thus  able  to 
break  the  power  of  disease  and  to  impart  a  vital  potency  which, 
quickly  or  gradually,  restores  the  healthful  action  of  the  vital 
forces. 

The  invigorating  effect  of  the  transfusion  of  blood  from  a 
healthy  person,  or  even  a  vigorous  animal,  to  an  invalid,  under  cer- 
tain conditions,  is  now  universally  recognized,  and  it  is  occasionally 
practiced  with  good  results.  But  the  virtue  of  blood  thus  trans- 
fused evidently  consists  in  the  life-forces  of  which  blood  is  the 
vehicle.  If  now  these  same  subtle  life-forces,  or  spiritual  energies, 
can  be  imparted  by  the  action  of  the  will,  through  laying  on  of  the 
hands  or  other  means,  and  received  h^  faith ^  the  same  result  is 
gained,  in,  to  say  the  least,  a  far  less  troublesome  manner.  That 
such  transfusion  of  force  does  take  place,  in  thousands  of  instances, 
the  facts  seem  to  prove. 

This  furnishes  at  least  a  comprehensible  and  rational  philosophy 
of  the  action  of  faith,  in  so  far  as  it  is  pre-requisite  of  healing. 
Hope,  or  pleasing  expectation,  is  so  intimately  connected  with 
faith,  that  it  is  its  almost  inseparable  attendant.  Faith  is  not  re- 
quired of  children,  for  the  reason  that  they  are  usually  so  impres- 
sible and  receptive  that  they  can  be  reached  directly,  or  through 
the  faith  of  their  parents  or  others  interested  in  them. 

If  this  be  the  true  philosophy,  it  explains  why  many  fail  to  ob- 
tain the  blessing  of  healing  now,  as  in  ancient  times,  through 
unbelief,  or  want  of  faith.  The  faithless,  prayerless,  hopeless, 
doubting,  or  positively  disbelieving  patient  fails  to  open  the  door 
into  his  mental  or  spiritual  organism,  through  which  alone  the 
healing  energy  can  enter.  Accordingly,  so  far  as  the  observation 
and  experience  of  the  writer  have  extended,  with  Dr.  Newton  and 
other  healers,  it  is  the  more  impressible,  confiding,  hopeful,  easily 
convinced,  readil}''  susceptible  in  both  mind  and  body,  and  the 
spiritually  inclined,  who  are  most  sure  to  receive  instantaneous  or 
"  miraculous "  healing ;  while  the  naturally  positive,  doubting, 
skeptical,  materialistic,  are  the  most  difficult  to  affect,  and  the  most 
likely  to  fail  of  realizing  benefit. 

No  doubt  the  observation  of  this  fact  has  led  many  to  pronounce 
all  such  alleged  healing  a  matter  of  credulity  and  imagination. 
But  if  it  be  so,  then,  obviously,  credulity  and  imagination  are  great 


FAITH,    HOPE,    AND    LOVE   AS    CURATIVE    AGENCIES.       3II 

blessings  to  humanity,  and  their  cultivation  on  the  part  of  hard- 
headed  skeptics  will  be  of  vast  advantage  to  themselves  in  case 
disease  and  suffering  shall  seize  upon  them  ! 

Seriously,  it  is  apparent  that  the  quality  of  ready  susceptibilit}'-, 
or  easy  confidence,  has  its  advantages  as  well  as  its  disadvantages ; 
also,  that  the  tendency  to  stubborn  incredulity  has  its  disadvan- 
tages as  well  as  its  advantages.  A  happy  medium  between  the  two 
would  seem  most  desirable.  And  this  may  doubtless  be  cultivated 
by  appropriate  means. 

The  philosophy  of  faith  which  we  have  presented  also  explains 
why  Dr.  Newton  and  other  healers  are  often  impelled,  by  the  power 
which  operates  through  them,  to  assure  their  patients,  in  the  most 
positive  tone  and  manner,  that  they  are,  or  speedily  will  be,  cured — 
when  the  event  sometimes  proves  the  contrary.  This  practice  has 
been  the  occasion  of  much  complaint  and  criticism,  it  being  held  by 
many  to  be  equivalent  to  giving  a  false  assurance,  or  making  a  false 
prophecy.  But  the  foregoing  considerations  make  it  plain  that  this 
positive  assurance  is  but  a  means  used — and  probably  an  extreme 
means,  to  meet  extreme  cases — by  which  to  arouse  the  weak  faith 
and  feeble  expectation  of  the  patient  sufficiently  that  he  may  be 
penetrated  by  the  curative  force.  It  is  but  a  part  of  the  modus 
operandi  of  healing,  and  if  it  fails,  it  should  be  no  more  a  cause 
of  censure  than  is  the  failure  of  any  other  attempted  remedy,  em- 
ployed in  good  faith. 

It  should  be  added  that  in  all  probability  there  are  invalids  who 
are  incapable  of  exercising,  on  the  instant,  if  at  all,  that  faith  which 
is  requisite  to  their  healing  by  the  processes  herein  referred  to. 
There  are  born  skeptics,  ingrained  materialists,  who  seem  unable 
to  conceive  of  spiritual  existences  or  forces — much  more,  to  lay 
hold  of  "  things  not  seen  "  as  realities.  Evidences  which  appeal 
with  convincing  power  to  other  minds,  have  little  or  no  weight  with 
them,  and  subtle  forces  which  powerfully  affect  other  organisms, 
produce  no  sensible  effect  upon  theirs.  Mental  and  physical  or- 
ganisms usually  correspond.  Where  there  is  ready  susceptibility 
of  mind,  there  is  likely  to  be  sensitiveness  of  body  also  ;  and  where 
stubborn  skepticism  is  a  mental  characteristic,  unimpressibility  of 
physical  organism  is  found  likewise.*     And  these   conditions  are 

♦  There  seems  to  be  seme  exceptions  to  this  rule,  where  a  fair  degree  of  mental  receptivity  is 


312  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

not  immediately  under  the  control  of  the  will ;  they  cannot  be 
changed  at  pleasure,  except  it  be  by  a  more  or  less  protracted 
course  of  self-discipline  and  culture,  with  earnest  aspiration.  Both 
faith  and  hope  appear  to  be  sometimes  acquired  as  "  gifts,"  the  re- 
sult of  earnest  struggles  of  the  spirit  in  prayer  or  aspiration. 

Being  largely  the  result  of  ante-natal  conditions  and  imperfect 
education,  this  incapacity,  or  infacility,  of  faith  (together  with  un- 
impressibility  of  organism)  is  doubtless  more  a  misfortune  than  a 
fault.  Nevertheless,  it  constitutes  a  real  inability — a  serious  ob- 
stacle, which,  not  through  any  caprice  0}i  the  part  of  the  healer,  but 
in  the  nature  of  things,  prevents  or  hinders  the  action  of  the  healing 
force.  While,  therefore,  on  the  one  hand,  it  may  be  unreasonable 
to  upbraid  unimpressible  patients  for  their  unbelief,  on  the  other  it 
is  plainly  unjust  that  such  patients  should  malign  the  healer  for  his 
failure  to  cure  them.  Other  methods  of  treatment  may  be  better 
adapted  to  their  cases. 

Another  reason  for  failures  to  cure  may  doubtless  be  found 
in  the  want  of  constitutional  adaptation  between  the  healer  and  the 
patient.  That  is,  there  exists  a  repulsion,  instead  of  attraction  or 
power  of  assimilation,  in  the  subtle  emanations  which  proceed  from 
the  two  persons.  Most  persons  are  conscious,  more  or  less,  of  agree- 
able or  disagreeable  sensations  in  the  presence  of  others,  and  hence 
of  a  liking  or  disliking  to  be  near  them.  These  sensations  are 
caused  by  the  invisible  aromal  emanations  which  each  gives  off,  and 
which  differ  with  each  individual  from  every  other.  If  these  are 
repellant  between  the  healer  and  patient,  the  former  can  effect 
little  or  nothing,  because  the  healing  force  he  projects  is  thrown 
back  and  not  absorbed.  This  is,  no  doubt,  one  cause  of  want  of 
faith ;  for  a  sufferer  who  is  repelled  from  a  healer  is  very  unlikely 
to  have  any  faith  in  his  ability  to  cure.  The  best  results  can  be 
expected  only  where  all  the  powers  of  soul  and  body,  voluntary 
and  involuntary,  confidingly  reach  forth  and  l*ay  hold  upon  the 
sanitary  virtue  proffered  by  or  through  the  healer. 

This  adaptation  can  be  ascertained,  probably,  only  by  trial,  and 

conjoined  with  a  rigid  unsusceptibility  of  the  physical  organism  to  subtle  agencies.  The  writer  of 
this  is  an  example.  While  firmly  believing  in  unseen  agencies  and  forces,  the  eflEects  of  which  he 
has  so  often  witnessed  upon  others,  he  is  himself  scarcely  in  the  least  susceptible  to  the  healing 
power,  to  mesmeric  or  other  subtle  forces.  Powerful  shocks  from  an  electric  battery,  whicli  sen- 
sitive persons  cannot  endure,  are  but  slightly  perceptible  to  him. 


WHY    SOME    ARE    NOT    CURED.  313 

no  patient  should  submit  to  the  manipulations  of  one  whose  atmo- 
sphere is  repugnant ;  nor,  in  fact,  should  a  sufferer  ever  be  attended 
by  such  an  one.  A  repugnant  person  imparts  poison  instead  of 
health.  Doubtless  the  more  refined,  spiritual,  unselfish,  broadly 
philanthropic  and  tenderly  sympathetic  a  healer  is,  the  wider  the 
range  of  cases  to  which  he  is  adapted  ;  and  the  stronger  the  trust 
of  the  patient,  the  more  likely  is  his  case  to  be  reached. 

This  brings  to  view  another  important  consideration,  repeatedly 
touched  upon  in  preceding  Chapters,  but  of  sufficient  moment  to 
justify  especial  mention  in  these  closing  lines.  It  is  this,  that  love, 
or  abounding  Good-Will,  is  an  essential  characteristic  in  the  true 
healer.*  No  selfish  person  can  succeed  in  that  function.  The 
generous,  out-giving  impulse  to  bless  must  be  the  predominant  life- 
motor.  In  fact,  it  is  probably  not  too  much  to  assert  that  the 
genuine  healing  force  itself,  as  to  its  inmost  essence,  is  love — the 
creative^  vivifying  eleme7it  of  the  universe — and  this,  be  it  spoken  with 
all  reverence,  is  but  another  name  for  God.  "  God  is  Love."  So 
that  Dr.  Newton  utters  but  a  simple  philosophic  truth  when  he 
says  that  the  power  by  which  he  heals  is  "  the  power  of  God."  And 
in  so  far  as  this  Divine  Presence — unselfish  Love — dwells  in  any 
man  or  woman,  may  he  or  she  become  a  true  healer,  and  his  or  her 
dwelling  be  a  real  Bethesda  for  the  sick  and  suffering. 

But  this  point  has  been  so  clearly  presented  by  Dr.  Newton 
himself  in  previous  pages,  and  so  elaborately  discussed  in  the  ad- 
dress of  Mr.  Burns,  quoted  in  Chapter  XVIII.,  as  to  render  further 
elucidation  needless.  It  may  be  well  to  note,  however,  the  obvious 
deduction,  that  whenever  this  divine  healing  element  flows  through 
a  channel  affected  by  physical  or  moral  impurity  of  any  description, 
or  narrowed  by  prejudices  and  antipathies,  it  is  liable  to  be  corre- 
spondingly tainted,  limited,  and  emasculated  of  its  highest  potency. 
The  real  fountain  may  be  pure,  but  the  stream  become  turbid 
and  void  of  healing  virtue.  The  healer,  therefore,  \vho  would  do 
the  works  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  or  greater  works  than  he,  must  be 
equally  a  model  of  health,  of  purity,  of  overflowing  good-will,  and 
of  every  noble  and  manly  quality. 

*  It  would  be  unnecessar}',  but  for  misUkes  so  often  made  in  that  direction,  to  say  that  the  love 
here  meant  is  a  quite  different  thing  from  the  sextial  attraction  or  desire  that  is  popularly  desig- 
nated by  the  same  word.    The  latter  kind  of  love  is  essentially  selfish  in  its  action. 


314  THE    MODERN    BETHESDA. 

We  have  before  noted  the  value  of  faith  and  hope  as  curative 
agencies.  Now  it  is  apparent  that  love  (infelicitously  translated 
"  charity  "  in  the  New  Testament,  common  version)  is  of  vastly 
greater  moment  than  either  of  these.  So  that  we  may  quote  an 
apostle's  pregnant  words  with  a  new  but  not  less  truthful  applica- 
tion— 

"  And    now   remain  faith,  hope,  love,  these  three  ;  and 

THE    greatest    OF   THESE    IS    LOVE. 

"  Pursue  after  love,  and  desire  earnestly  the  spiritual 
gifts."* 


The  foregoing  observations,  with  the  facts  on  which  they  are 
based,  it  is  believed,  will  go  far  with  thoughtful  minds  to  lift  this 
whole  subject  of  healing  by  the  laying  on  of  hands — with  the  aux- 
iliaries of  faith,  prayer,  and  other  means  aside  from  ordinary  medi- 
cation— out  of  the  realm  of  mystery  and  "miracle,"  and  to  show 
that  //  is  as  really  amenable  to  law  and  established  conditions — con- 
ditions which  may  be  studied,  understood,  and  intelligently  com- 
plied with — as  is  the  application  of  any  other  of  the  constant  forces  of 
the  universe.  And  this  is  doubtless  as  true  of  ancient  as  of  modern 
healings.  They  were  miraculous  only  in  the  sense  of  wojtderful, 
as  we  naturally  wonder  at  what  is  strange  and  not  understood.  In 
other  words,  tiie  exercise  of  this  curative  "  gift  "  may  be  reduced 
to  a  science  and  an  art,  as  reliable,  to  say  the  least,  as  is  the  medi- 
cal practice  of  any  of  the  popular  schools,  and  doubtless  far  more 
effective  for  good. 

The  discovery  and  establishment  of  this  important  truth  marks 
a  forward  step — we  had  almost  said  an  era — of  no  small  moment 
in  human  progress.  And  the  experience  and  labors  of  the  Healer 
whose  career  has  been  imperfectly  sketched  in  this  volume,  have 
unquestionably  contributed  in  a  large  degree  to  this  grand  result. 

*  I  Cor.  xiii.  13  ;  xiv.  i,  Union  translation. 


INDEX, 


Abbott,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  89 
Abbott,  Stephen,  cure  of,  285 
Abscess    cured,    176,   280,    282, 

292 
Acks,  Mrs.  Nancy  T.,  145 
Adams,  Henry  W.,  cure  of,  128 
Adaptation  necessary,  312 
Advance,  Chicago,  quoted,  25 
Ahem,  Matthew,  cure  of,  87 
Aiden,  Saint,  a  healer,  15 
Albree,  Calvin,  cure  of,  88 
Allan,  Amelia,  cure  of,  221 
Allen,  David,  affidavit  of,  61 
Alms,  Mrs.  H.,  cure  of,  34 
Ambrose,  St.,  quoted,  12 
Ames,  Mrs.  F.  J.,  testimony  of, 

274 
Andover,  Eng.,  visit  to,  246 
Andrews,  Robert,  cure  of,  213 
Angels,  ministry  of,  117,  203-4, 

263. 
Anna.  Mary,  cure  of,  86 
Apollonius,  a  healer,  191 
Appleby,  Mrs.  Cornelia,  121 
Armstrong,  James,  213,  242 
Armstrong,  J.  R.,  297 
Ashley,  Wm.,  cure  of,  207,  215 
Ashman,  Mr.,  healing  by,  271 
Assassination  of  Lincoln,  205 
Assault  and  battery  charged,  57 
Asthma  cured,  53,  70,  86,  87,  89, 

93,  99.213,  276,  279,  284 
Atkins,  Phebe,  cure  of,  49 
Atkinson,  Lydia,  affidavit  of,  61 
Attree,  Eliza  0;ive,  cure  of,  227 
Auburn,  N.  Y.,   visit  to,  101-6, 

294 
Auburn,  Advertiser  quoted,  loi, 

105 
Augustine,  St.,  quoted,  12 
Australians  practice  healing,  192 
Averell,  Nat'l  S.,  cure  of,  280 
Avery,  Mrs.  Dr.,  cure  of,  122 
Ayers,  James,  case  of,  241 
Ayers,  Wm.,  cure  of,  240 

Bailey,  Mrs.  Emma  E.,  98 
Baker,  Edw.  L.,  statement  of, 

141 
Balch,  Wm.  C,  testimony  of, 

278 
Baltimore,  healing  in,  75 


Bamber,  Mrs.  Wm.,  affidavit  of, 

50 
Banner  of  Light  quoted,  40,  joi, 

105,  loS,  :36,  145,  146,  147, 

151,  156,  157,  167,  173,  175' 
178,  202,  272,  274,  275,  277, 
27S,  282.  289 

Barber,  Wm.,  cure  of,  86 
Bamham,  Martha  L.,  142 
Bamham,  Ossian  L.,  testimony 

of,  142 
Barnes,  Mrs.  Mary  H.,  108 
Barrett,  Mrs.  Eliza,  cure  of,  87 
Barrows,  Mrs.  Mary,  cure  of,  89 
Bartlett,  Abby,  cure  of,  38 
Bartlett,  Alanson,  cure  of,  276 
Bartlett,  Wm.  M.,  statement  of, 

130 
Bascomb,  Francis  C,  99 
Bassett,  Mrs.  R.  M.,  78,  88 
Beach,  James  B.,  cure  of,  88 
Beal,  Lovitt,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  280 
Beauchamp,  Mrs.  Jane,  286 
Bedford,  Wm.,  cure  of,  245 
Benefit  Societies,  hint  to,  228 
Bennett,  Mercv,  cure  of,  86 
Belle  Valley,  Pa.,  case  at,  288 
Bernard,  St.,  a  healer,  15 
Berry,  Mrs.  Augustus,  35 
Berwick,  Henry,  cure  of,  286 
Bethesda,  the  Ancient,  3 
Bethesda,    the    New,    84,    119, 

Binns,  David,  cure  of,  245 
Biographical  Sketch,  29 
Bird,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  220-1 
Birmingham,  Eng.,  visit  to,  238 
Bishop  of  Dromore's  testimony. 

Bishop,  Mrs.  Ann,  cure  of,  100 
Blackburn,  John,  cure  of,  233 
Blackburn,  James,  cure  of,  245 
Blackmail,  attempt  to,  57 
Bladder,  disease  of,  cured,  285-6 
Blake,  Earnest,  cure  of,  285 
Blake,  Henry  C.,  cure  of,  286 
Blasphemy,  203,  278 
Blindness  cured,  33,  35,  61,  63, 
86,  87,  89,  98,  99,   107,  108, 
no,  121,  122,  131,  136,  138, 

152,  i73»  17s.  177.  i7<).  187, 
207,  2t3,  227,  229,  233,  241, 


245,  272,  273,  275.  279,  282, 

284,  285,  290,  297 
Blindness,  congenital,  cured,  89 
Bliss,  Mrs.  Elijah,  cure  of,  133 
Blossom,  Mrs.  Louisa,  34 
Bodkin,  Sarah,  cure  of,  99 
Bogan,  Eliza,  affidavit  of.  67 
Borasso,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  48,  49 
Boston,  healing  in,  37,  76,  273, 

299 
Bosworth,  Mrs.  George,  90 
Bowman,  Mrs.  Emma  P.,  35 
Bragg,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  286 
Brain,  softening  of,  285 
Breakspeare,  Mrs.,  child  cured, 

214 
Breathing  tube,  use  of,  97 
Breed,  Henry,  296 
Brewer,  M.  D.,  cure  of,  287 
Briant,  Sarah  J.,  affidavit  of,  72 
Briggs,  Amariah,  cure  of,  82 
Bright's  disease,  cured,   92,   93, 

2S4,  285 
Brimblecomb,    John,    cure     of 

daughter,  177 
Broadhead,  Wis.,  cure  at,  143 
Bromwell,  Mrs.,  34 
Bronchitis  cured,  221,  250 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  cases  at,  152-3 
Broomhead,  Mary  H.,  245 
Brown,  George,  son  of,  86 
Brown,  Sarah  E.,  cure  rf,  87 
Brown,  Thomas,  cure  of,  35 
Brown,  Mrs.  R.  A.,  cure  of,  88 
Brown,  Mrs.  Wm.,  cure  of,  279 
Browning,  Margaret,  228 
Browning,  Mr.,  cure  of,  215 
Brown,   Sequard,  Dr.,  quoted, 

308 
Bucklin,  Helen  L.,  276 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  cures  in,  132-3 
Bump,  Mrs.  Sarah,  143-4 
Bunker   Hill,    111.,   healing  at, 

148 
Bunson,  Capt.  John,  122 
Burnett,  W.  C,  son  cured,  286 
Burton,  Mrs.  Benj.,  276 
Burton,  C.  U.  C,  cure  of,  293 
Burrell,  Alden,  cure  of,  276 
Burr,  Mr.,  Ed.  Hartford  Times, 

293 
Burgen,  Eliza,  case  of,  57 


316 


Burke,  Mrs.,  case  of,  io8 
Burns,    Rev.    Dr.   Jabez,    217, 

218,  222,  268 
Bums  Chapel,  healing  in,   220, 

226 
Burns,    James,    234,    239,    244, 

246,  254,  264,  267 
Burress,  Mrs.  M.  A.,  cure  of,  26 
Burtis,  Arthur,  cure  of,  99 
Bushnell,  Rev.   Dr.,  testimony 

of,  25 
Butterfield,  Wm.  P.,  280 
Bryan,  Elizabeth,  cure  of,  86 
Bryant,   Dr.  J.    P.,   statement 

of,  47 

Cady,  F.  L.,  wife,  &c.,  Sj 
Calvert,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  126 
Campbell,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  115 
Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  visit  to,  294 
Cancer  cured,  21,  38,  49,  63,  86, 

89,  iio,   123,   145,   152,   179, 

187,  215,  276,  279,  280 
Cancerous  humor  cured,  49,  99 
Canfield,  Mrs.  F.  A.,  cure  of,  86 
Cape  Ann  Advertiser  quoted,  177 
Capon,  Thomas,  cure  of,  240 
Carroll,  Mrs.  A.  R.,  son,  89 
Catarrh  cured,  100,  121,  198,  279 
Catherine,  St.,  a  healer,  15 
Catholic  priest  healed,  106 
Cavanaugh,  Capt.    Daniel,  Jr., 

cure  of,  38 
Chace,  Mrs.  Judson,  cure  of,  176 
Chadwick,  Mrs.  Hannah.  144 
Chapin,  Mrs.  Ju'.ia  S  ,  cure  of,  90 
Charity,  cases  of,  297 
Chatfield,  Emma,  cure  of.  85 
Chelsea,  Mrs.,  healing  in,  178 
Cheenej',  Wm.  H.,  cure  of,  99 
Cheney,  Prof.  S.  P.,  testimony 

of,  150 
Cheney,  Rev.  W,A.,  cure  of,  279 
Cheshire, J. C,  testimony  of,  249 
Chicago  Advance,  25 
Chicago,  healing  in,  109-10,  294 
Chicken,  applied,  38 
Child,  Dr.  H.  T.,  testimony  of, 

37 
Chills,  congestive,  cured,  121 
China,  healing  in,  190,  192 
.   Chipman,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  177 
Chorea,  see  St.  Vitus  Dance 
•'Christ's  First  and  Second  Ap- 
pearing,"   testimony    from, 

22-24 
Church.   Catholic,    healing  in, 

13-16 
Church,    English,    healing    in, 

18-19 
Church,  Greek,  healing  in,  13 
Church,  Methodist,  healing  in, 

21-22 
Church,  Primitive,  healing  in, 

10-12 
Church,  Prot.  healing  in.  16-26 
Church,  Samuel,  cure  of  176 
Cincinnati,  healing  m,  33-6 
Cincinnati,  visit  to,  287 
Clapp,  Sybil  B.,  cure  of,  90 
Claremont,  N.  H.,  cure  of,  144 
Clarke,   Abraliam,   affidavit  of, 

137 


Clark,  Emma,  cure  of,  103,  105 
Clark,  Harriet,  cure  of,  249 
Clark,  Mrs.  J.  W.,  cure  of,  89 
Claude  Clement,  a  healer,  15 
Clergy,  appeal  to,  156-163 
Clergyman,  Episcopal,  talk  with, 

278 
Cline,  "Benj.,  cure  of,  280 
Clutterbuck,  Chas.,  cure  of,  213 
Coe,  Mr.,  cure  of,  221 
Coffee,  Josephine,  cure  of,  279 
Cole,  Sarah,  cure  of,  227 
Coleman,  Benj.,  207,  214,  268 
Collins,  RIary,  child  cured,  145 
Collins,  Benj.  R.,  cure  of,  285 
Collins,  Wm.  T-,  cure  of,  2S5 
Columbanus,  St.,  a  healer,  15 
Columbo,  St.,  a  healer,  15 
Columbus,  O.,  visit  to,  297 
Columbus  Journal  quoted,  134 
Congestion  of  lungs  cured,  274-5 
Comstock,  E.,  statement  cf,  143 
ConantjMrs.,  discourse  through, 

Condit,  Daniel,  affidavit  of,  73 
Conditions  of  healing  power,  192 
Connelly,  Hon.  R.  B.,  121 
Connet,  Re  v.  A.,  daughter  cured, 

25 
Connolly,  R.  B.,  298 
Connor,  Mrs.  Y.,  cure  of,  122 
Constantine,  a  healer,  191 
Consumption  cured,  38,  62,  86, 

90,  99,  215,  276,  280,  2S5 
Contour,  Mrs.  C,  cure  of,  121 
Conway,  Lady,  case  of,  18 
Conway,  Michael,  cure  of,  122 
Cook,  Anne,  cure  of,  160 
Cook,  Emmett  B.,  cure  of,  98 
Cook,  Henry  B..  cure  of,  87 
Cook.  Mrs.  Catherine,  49 
Cook,  Mrs.  Sarah  P.,  cure  of,  90 
Coombs,  Mrs.  C.  B.,  cure  cf,  90 
Coombs,  Emma,  cure  cf,  33 
Coos,  James,  Mrs.,  cure  cf,  280 
Corkery,  John,  affidavit  of,  63 
Corson,  E.  A.  S.,  affidavit  of,  73 
Cosmas,   the  martyr,   a  healer, 

15 
Cough  cured,  38,  86,   121,  279, 

286 
Courier,  New  Haven,  testimony 

of,  76,  77 
Cowper,  F.,  son,  cured,  212 
Cowper,  Mrs.  E.,  testimony  of, 

222,  230 
Crane,  Mariah  L.,  cure  of,  34 
Crane,  L.  M.,  Jr..  testimony  of, 

287 
Crane.  J.  H.,  testimony  of,  287 
Crisp,  Mrs.  Anne,  cure  of,  212 
Cristy,  Lizzie,  cure  of,  274-5 
Cristy,    Moses,     testimony    of, 

I2S-6 
Crosby,  Ellery  C,  cure  of,  38 
Crosby,  Mrs.  S.  G.,  cure  of,  38 
Culpeper  Co.,  Va.,  case  in,  159 
Culver,  David,  cure  of,  152 
Cur^  d'Ars,  the  healer,  16,  252 
Current  from  healer's  head,  161 
Currier,  Mrs.  Lottie,  cure  of,  90 
Curtis,  Georgia,  cure  of,  103 
Curtis,  Jotham  C,  cure  of,  284 


Cushing,  H.  F.,  cure  of,  38 
(Jypnan,  St.,  quoted,  u 

Dakin,  Mr.,  cure  of,  135 
Damianus,  the  Martyr,  a  healer, 

Danbury,  Ct.,  case  at,  159-60 
Danforth,  Ozias  C.,cure  of,  171 
Danks,  Amanda,  cure  of,  87 
Dannaker,    Lucy   R.,     affidavit 

of,  71. 
Davenport,  Iowa,  visit  to,  294 
Davidson,  Wm.  O.,  cure  of,  279 
Davies,  T.  C,  testimony  of,  252 
Davis,  Alice,  cure  of,  85 
Davis,  Caro.ine  F.,  cure  of,  292 
Davis,  Catherine,  cure  of,  81 
Davis,  Gen.  E.  C,  cure  of,  285 
Davis,    Elizabeth    H.,   affidavit 

of,  72 
Davis,  Mrs.  Henrietta,  cure  of, 

90 
Davis,  JefJerey,  cure  of,  220 
Davis,  James,  cure  of,  232 
Davis,  Merwin,  W.,  cure  of,  82 
Davis,  Minnie  S.,  cure  of,  83 
Davis,  S.  A.,  Rev,,  testimony 

of,  83,  84 
Davis,  Mary,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  86 
Daw,  N.  F.,  268 
Day,  Elihu  B.,  cure  of,  82 
Dead,  raising  the,  158,  162,  302 
Deafness  cured,  34,  49,  50,  63, 

90,  99,   108,    118,    12 J,   137, 

168,  172,  178,  179,  214,  232, 

237.  245,  240,  248,  282,  284 
Deaf  and  dumb,  133,  247 
Dean,  Ida,  cure  of,  99 
Death,  proof  of,  wanting,  303-6 
Dementia  cured,  122, 
Denton,  John  Q. ,  cure  of,  279 
Detonation  hea  d,  171 
Devil,  the,  gets  the  credit,  200, 

203, 
Dewolf,  Lewis,  cure  of,  89 
Dewsbury,  Wm.,  healing  of,  20 
Diabetes  cured,  66, 
Diarrhoea,  chronic,  cured,  32,  68, 

122 
Dike,  S.  C,  cure  of,  280 
Diseases,  originate  in  spiritual 

forces,  41,270 
Dislocated  shoulder  cured,  99 
Dodworth's  Hall,  address  and 

healing  in,  11 1-118 
Donohue,  John,  affidavit  of,  65 
Dorset,  Vt.,  healing  at,  150 
Douglas,  Mrs.  R.,  cure  of,  34 
Dorcas,  case  cf,  305 
Dow,  Helen  M.,  cure  of,  89 
Draper,  John,  case  of,  249 
Dropsy  cured,  65,   73,  90,   121, 

221,  276 
Drummond,  Mary  E.,  148 
Duflfy,  Surgeon,  testimony,  58 
Durham,  Mary  Ann,  cure  of,  85 
Dunklee,  Mrs.  A.  M.,  89 
Dunn,  Chas.  W.,  cure  of,  49 
Dutnall,  Mr.,  daughter  cured,24i 
Duval,  W.  H.,  finger  cured,  130 
Dyer,  John,  cure  of,  240 
Dysentery  cured,  99 
Dyspepsia  cured,  64,  66.  86,  87, 


31/ 


8o,    121,     122,    187,    276,    280, 
285 

Easman,  "Wm.,  cure  of,  49 
East  Concord,  Vt.,  case  at,  1 54 
Eczema,  cured,  228 
Eddy,  Mrs.  G.  W.,  cure  of,  83 
Ed%%'ard  the  Confessor,  a  healer, 

Egypt,  ancient,  healing  in,  191 
Elisason,  Wm.  P  ,  testimony  of, 

»59 
Elizabeth,  St.,  a  healer,  15 
Elliott,  Dr.,  cure  of,  142-3 
Ellis,  John,  case  of,  245 
Ellis,  Mrs.  ¥.  A.,  cure  of,  282 
Ellis,  Ralph  S.,  cure  of,  121 
Elmira,  N.  Y.,  cures  in,  131,  294 
England,  visits  to,  206,  294 
England,  observations  on,  267-9 
England,  Mrs.  J.W.,  cure  of,  48 
English  Church, healing  in,  iS,  19 
English  views,  253 
Ennemoser,  Dr.,  quoted,  15 
Ensalmadores  of  Spain,  healers, 

.  '5 
Epilepsy  cured,  49,  69,  85,  99, 

276,  279,  280,  286 
Erysipelatous  ulcer  cured,  67 
Erysipelas  cured,  279,  287 
Estes,  Mrs.  James,  cure  of,  177 
Europe,  the  Healer  in,  206 
Eusebius  quoted,  1 1 
Eutychus,  case  of,  305 
Evans,  Henrv,  cure  of,  233 
Evans,  Dr.  Wm.,  268 
Evening  Press,  Hartford,  quoted, 

83 
Eyes,  weak,  cured,  49,  50,  86.  88, 

90,  164, 285 
Eyes,  inflammation  of,  cured,  34, 

69,  107,  90,  g<4,  12  1,  168 
Eyelids,  paralyzed,  cure  of,  99 
Ezra,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  226 

Failures  to  cure,  reason   of,  41, 

42,  310,  312 
Faith,  essential,  14,  41,  160,  166, 

192,  260 
Faith,  power  of,  iii,  193 

"      as  a  curative  agencj%  308 
Fairchild,  A'ex.,  cure  of,  35 
Fancourt,  Miss,  cure  of,  24 
Farewell    Soiree     in     London, 

261-5 
Farnsworth,   Capt.   Cole,  cure 

of,  93,  285 
Farren,  C.  S.,  cure  of,  78 
Farren,  John  S.,  cure  of,  86 
Fassaur,  Mrs.  C.  H.,  89 
Fever  and  ague  cured,  121,  122 
Fever  sore  cured,  35,  50 
Feet    turned    in,    straightened, 

116,  296 
Field,  Hattie,  cure  of,  87 
Fifield,  James  N.,  cure  of,  122 
Fijii  Islanders  practice  healing, 

192 
Finney,    Pres't.,   testimony   of, 

25 
Finnev,  Hon.   S.  J.,   testimony 

of,  282 
Fistula  cured,  229,  287 


Fisher,  Mrs.  John,  cure  of,  90 
Fisher,  P.  C,  cure  of,  121 
Fits  cured,  222,  241 
Fitzgerald,  Michael,  cure  of,  50 
Flagler,  Airs.  Wm.,  cure  of,  99 
Fletcher,  healing  by,  21,  22 
Fonda,  Lucinda,  cure  of,  99 
Font,  Joseph,  cure  of,  49 
Fontana,  Kan.,  healing  at,  151 
Forbush,  Dr.,  cure  of,  124 
Ford,  Mrs.  Sarah,  cure  of,  85 
Ford,  Thomas  P.,  cure  of,  286 
Ford,  Wm.  A.,  child  cured,  280 
Foreigners,   testimony   of,   i8i- 

188 
Forncrock,  Mrs.  Henry,  104 
Forrest,  Edwin,  299 
Foster,  Capt.  David,  cure  of,  87 
Foster,  H.  R.,  cure  of,  89 
Foster,  Wm.,  jr.,   testimony  of, 

148 
Fowler,  Elizabeth,  cure  of,  226 
Fowler,  John,  M.  D.,  297 
Fowler,  Mrs.  Nancy  J.,  176 
Fox,  George,  a  healer,   19-21, 

235 
Francesco,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  34 
Franklin,  Benj.,  affidavit  of,  52 
Freer,  C.  W.,  cure  of,  49 
Fremont,  Gen.,  298 
French  prophets,  235 
Fuller,  Geo.  A.,  statement  of, 

»53-4 
Fuller,  Mrs.  Margaret,  cure  of, 

133,  295-6 
Fulton,  N.  Y.,  healing  at,  149 

Gage.  Margaret,  affidavit  of,  70 
Gage,  Wm.,  cure  of,  214 
Gaines,  Wm.,  cure  of,  108 
GallipOiis,  Ohio,  cures  at,  142-3 
Gall  stones   removed,  68,    276, 

279,  285,  287 
Gall  stones,  remedy  for,  95 
Gansevoort,  Mrs.  John  R.,  99 
Gardner,  Clara  D.,  cure  of,  90 
Garfield,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  141 
Gardiner  Me.,  healing  at,  149 
Gassner,  the  healer,  15,  16 
George,  Annie,  affidavit  of,  69 
George,  Mrs.  Jennie,  cure  of,  49 
Gibbs,  Arabella  C,  cure  of,  90 
Gibson,  Mrs.  H.  M.,  cure  of.  38 
Gift  of  healing,  object  of,  8,  9 
Gilchrist,  Eben..  cure  of,  280 
Gilman,  Edward  L.,  2S0-1 
Gilmore,  Frances,  cure  of,  34 
Glover,  Geo.,  cure  of,  56 
Glover,   Sarah  C,  affidavit  of, 

62 
God  the  source  of  healing  pow- 
er, 197,  203 
God  is  love,  253 
God  is  spirit,  254 
Goitre,  cure  of,  33,  45,  280 
'•  Golden    Gate,"     healing     on 

board  of,  3 1 
Good  and  Evil,  259 
Good-will,  necessity  of,  313 
Goodwin,  Father,  cure  of,  80 
Goodwin,  Elizabeth,  cure  of,  87 
Gordon,  Robert,  cure  of,  99 
Gould,  Mrs.  Laura  M.,  108 


Gould.  Mrs.  Martha  G.,  89 
Gould,  Wm.,  H.,  statement  of, 

loS 
Gout  cured,  151,  121,  287 
Gouverneur,  N.  Y.,  healing  at, 

14J-2 
Grant.    Thomas,  testimony  of, 

241 
Gravel  cured,  276 
Graves,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  177 
Greatrakes,  Valentine,  the  heal- 
er, 18 
Greaves,  M.,  healing  by,  25 
Greek  Church,  healing  in,  13 
Greece,  Ancient,  healing  in,  191 
Greeley,  Horace,  298 
Greenfiald,  Ms.,  cures  at,  145 
Gregory,  Thanmaturgus,  12 
Grew,  Mr.,  case  of,  247 
Gridley,    E.  R.,   statement   of, 

106 
Groat,  Cornelia  A.,  cure  of,  98 
Grosclaude,  Mrs.  F.,  108 
Grosclaude,   F.,  statement    of, 

108 
Guild,  Mrs.  M.  G.,  cure  of,  276 
Guilford,  N.  H.,  case  at,  153 

Hadrian,  Emperor,  a  healer,  191 
Hagenkemp,     Mrs.,     daughter 

cured,  287 
Halhead,  Miles,  cure  of,  20 
Hackett,  Clarissa,  cure  of,  100 
Halderman,  Mrs.  Judge,  137 
Halifax,  Eng.,  visit  to,  243 
Hall,  Agnes  M.,  cure  of,  50 
Hali.  Ann,  cure  of,  141 
Hall,  B.,  jr.,  cure  of,  141 
Hall,  Mrs.  Ciimena,  141 
Hall,  Cyrus  D.,  cure  of,  88 
Hall,  Elizabeth,  affidavit  of,  71 
Hall,  S.  C,  remarks  by,  211 
Hall,  John  L.,  affidavit  of,  74 
Hall,  Matilda,  cure  of,  229 
Ham,  Nathaniel,  cure  of,  176 
Hammett,  Mrs.  Chas.  R.,  279 
Hammond,  Mrs.  C.  B.  C,  32 
Hammond,  Elder,  cure  by,  23 
Hammond,  J.   P.,  child  cured, 

Harrison,  W.  H.,  268 
Harrington,  Mrs.  Sarah,  285 
Harris,  Hon.  D.  L.,  293 
Hart,  Sarah,  cure  cf,  (04 
Hartford,  Ct.,  visit  to,  84 
Hartford  Times  quoted,  79,  84 
Hartford  Ev,  Press  quoted,  83 
Harthan,  Amanda,  cure  of,  90 
Hartkoff,  Wm.,  cure  of,  50 
Harton,  Mrs.  U.  A.,  285 
Hartwell,  Lucy,  cure  of,  122 
Harty,  Frances,  cure  of,  35 
Haskell,  Benj.,  cure  of,  82 
Haskell,  Mrs.  George  E.,  280 
Hatch,  James,  cure  of,  285 
Havana,  Cuba,  healing  in,  106 
Haven,  R,  H.,  affidavit  of,  51 
Hawks,  Dixenia  S.,  cure  of,  89 
Hay,  Andrew  J.,  affidavit  of,  60 
Hav,  Dr.  C.   D.,   testimony  of, 

'126 
Hayward,  Dr.  A.  S.,  statement 
of,  147 


3i8 


Hayward,  Mrs.  J.  H.,  279 
Haywood,  Elijah,  B.,  87 
Hazard,  Thos.  R.,  quoted,  157 
Healer,  how  to  become  a,  114, 

166 
Healing  at  a  distance,   139-154, 
168,  172,  188,287 

by  means  of  garments,  113, 

142-3,  230 

by  a  fragment  of  cloth,  143 

in  Primitive  Christian  Ch., 

7,  10,  12 

in  Syrian  and  Greek  Ch's., 

7,  13. 

in  the  Roman  Church,  13-16 

in   the   Protestant  Church, 

16-26 

in  the  English  Church,  j8, 

19 

among  the  Quakers,  19-21 

among  the  Methodists,  21, 

22 

among  the  Shakers,  22-24 

among      the     "  Heathen," 

190-192 

Power  not  monopolized,  192 

Power  dependent  on  condi- 
tions, 366 

Power,   philosophy  of,   40, 

204 

Power,   amenable    to    law, 

314 

Power,   wonderful  displays 

of,  175 

Power,  how  supplied,  42 

force  inexhaustible,  43 

one's  self,  43 

Power,  nature  of,   111-113, 

167 

'*  gift  "  enjoyed  by  the  more 

Spiritual  sects,  19 

how  related  to  Spiritualism, 

189-199 

in  the  name  of  God,  257 

in  the  name  of  Jesus,  258 

taught  by  a  Spirit,  195 
Health  Maxims,  95 
Health  contagious,  260 
Heart  Disease  cured,  34,  49,  66, 

82,  86,  89,  121,  122,  179,  187, 

233,  240,  270,  280,  285,  286 
Helfrich,  Mrs.  Rebecca,  107 
Hemorrhage  of  lungs  cured,  86, 

2  86 
Hemorrhoid,  cured,  87 
Herald,  N.  Y.,  testimony  of,  44 
Herald,  Providence,  quoted,  148 
Herbert,  John,  affidavit  of,  63 
Heresey,  P.,  cure  of,  49 
Hernia  cured,  90 
Herring,  Mrs.  Margaret,  49 
Herwitz,  Louis,  cure  of,  121 
Hess,  Mrs.  Alexander,  99 
Hibbard,  J  as.  H.,  affidavit  of, 

60 
Higgins,  Mrs.  S.,  cure  of,  49 
Hildegarde,  St.,  a  healer,  14,  15 
Hill,  Mrs.j  cure  of,  220 
Hill,  Austin  A.,  reminiscences. 


Hinsey,  Sarah,  cure  of,  34 
Hio  disease  cured,  34,  35,  38, 


49,  54,  69,  71,  78,  86,  87,  88, 

176,  276,  279,  284,  286 
Hip,  dislocated,  cured,  220 
Hocknell,  Elder,  cure  by,  23 
Hodges,  Mrs.,  case  of,  241 
Hodges,  Libbie,  cure  of,  85 
Holbrook,  Mrs,  Adelaide,  279 
Hokomb,  Mrs.  Edgar,  89 
Hollis,  D.  B.,  cure  of,  276 
Hooker,  Henry,  cure  of,  76 
Hope,  as  a  curative  agency,  309, 

310 
Hopkins,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  160-1 
Hopper,  Sam'l,  chi.d  cured,  113 
Horr,  Mrs.  Anna,  cure  of,  49 
Horse  cured  of  staggers,  256 
Horton,  Mrs.  S.  G.'s  son  cured, 

34  , 
Hotchkiss,  Martha,  cure  of,  78 
Hotchkiss,  Nelson,  80 
Hot  water  as  a  remedy,  92 
Hough,  Mrs.  Jane  A.,  86 
Houston,  Mrs,  W.  P.,  90 
Howard,  Geo.  H.,  cure  of,  87 
Howitt,    Wm  ,   quoted,     10-25, 

190-192 
Hubbard,  Amanda  M.,  cure  of, 

299 
Hubbard,  John,  cure  of,  280 
Hubbard,  Mr.,  cure  of,  213 
Hubbell,  Mrs.  Fred'k,  99,  106 
Huckle,  George,  cure  of,  227 
Hughes,  Susan,  cure  of,  99 
Huguenots,  235 
Hunt,  Josiah,  cure  of,  280 
Hunt,  Josiah  T.,  cure  of,  90 
Hutchins,  Sarah,  cure  of,  287 
Hutchinson,  John,  cure  of,  33 
Hyde,  Albert,  cure  of,  78,  86 
Hyde,  P.  R.,  affidavit  of,  68 

Inquirer,  Philada.,  quoted,  57 
Innocentia,  cure  of,  12 
Insanity  cured,  35,  93,  186,  250, 

284 
Irenjeus  quoted,  10,  1 1 
Irvingites,  cures  among,  24 

Jackson,  Mrs.  Andrew,  280 
Jairus'  daughter,  case  of,  303 
Jamblicus,  a  healer,  192, 
Jameson,  Annie,  cure  of,  285 
Jaundice  cured,  99,  276,  279 
Jaw,  stiffness  of,  cured,  50,  71 
Jay,  John,  cure  of,  21 
Jesus,  a  healer,  5 
Jenken,  H.  D,,  cure  of,  226,  262 
Jenks,  Carrie,  cure  of,  90 
Jerome,  St.,  quoted,  12 
Jewett,  Mrs.  S.  J.,  cure  of,  276 
Johnson,  Catherine,  cure  of,  33 
Johnson,  Geo.  R.,  affidavit  of,  69 
Johnson,  John,  cure  of,  285 
Johnson,    Wm.    L.,     daughter 

cured,  153 
Jolly,  Samuel,  child  of,  cured, 

121 
Jones,  Mrs.  H.  K.,  cure  of,  82 
Jones,  Mrs.  Mary,  cure  of,  82 
Jones,  Mrs.  Martha  S.,  89 
Jones,  John,  263 
Jordan,  Wm.  A.,  cure  of,  87 
J  ury,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  241 


Justin  Martyr,  testimony  of,  10 
Justinian,  the  Emperor,  healed, 
IS 

Keith,  Elizabeth,  cure  of,  86 
Keith,  Wm.,  cure  of,  85 
Kelley,  Hugh  E.,  cure  of,  123 
Kelley,  Mrs.  Mary  F.,  cure  of, 

121 
Kelly,  Peter,  cure  of,  50 
Kelsey,  Zcbulon  S.,  cure  of,  88 
Kemp,  Alice,  cure  of,  241 
Kendalls  Mills,  Me.,  case  at,  147 
Kentfield,  Palman,  cure  of,  98 
Kibbee,  Sarah,  healing  of,  22 
Kidd,  Mrs.  M.  J.'s  daughter, 

cure  of,  99 
Kidneys,  disease  of,  cured,  276, 

279,  285,  286 
Kimball,  Lulu,  cure  of,  285 
King,  Mrs.  Mary  A.,  cure  of,  49 
King,  Esther,  case  of,  241 
King,  Wm.,  cure  of,  221 
Kings  of   England  cure  kings' 

evil,  15 
Kmgdon,  Eddie,  cure  of,  135 
Kingston-on-Thames,   healing 

at,  249 
Kluge  quoted,  191 
Knight,  John,  cure  of,  187 

La  Conner,  W.  T.,  cure  at,  152 

Lacy,  F.  G.,  cure  of,  100 

Lambert,  Mr.,  child  cured,  276 

Lameness  cured,  25,  38,  49,  50, 

5',  52,  61,  62,  67,  78,  82,85, 

86,  87,  88,  89,  90,  98,  99,  loo, 

108,  115,  116,  122,  130,  135, 

168,  171,  176,  177,  180,   187, 

213,  216,  226,  227,  229,  233, 

240,  248,  249,  276,  277,  279, 

280,  282,  284,  285 
Landfair,  Russell,  cure  of,  85 
Lane,  Mr.,  cure  of,  in  the  street, 

129 
Langdon,  Libbie,  cure  of,  294 
Large,  Mr.  N.,  testimony  of,  242 
Lawrence,  Minnie,  cure  of,  280 
Lawrence,  Mrs.   Mary,  cure  of, 

daughter,  180 
Lazarus,  case  of.  304 
Leavenworth,  Ks.,  cures  in,  137 
Ledgard,  Dr.,  cure  of,  31 
Lee,  Mother  Ann,  23 
Lee,  Elder  Wm.,  healing  by,  23 
Lee,  Miss,  cure  of,  226 
Lee,  Mrs.  Wm.  W.,  cure  of,  89 
Lehan,  John,  cure  of,  85 
Lenton,  Charles,  cure  of,  215 
Leonard,  Jonathan  J.,  172 
Leprosy  cured,  276 
Letters,  Magnetized,  healing  by, 

140 
Lewis,  J.  F.,  cure  of,  78 
Lincoln,  assassination  of,  295 
Linton,  R.,  testimony  of,  270-1 
Listnor,  Mrs.  P.,  cure  oJF,  123 
Literary  Album  quoted,  29 
Litton,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  34 
Liver  complaint  cured,  64,  66, 

68,  89,  121,  187,  285,  287 
Liver  swollen,  cured,  35,  90,  285 
Liverpool,  £ng.,  arrival  in,  206 


INDEX. 


319 


Liverpool,  Eng.,  healing  in,  251 
Livingston,  Mrs.  Silvia,  121 
•Jvivy  quoted,  191 
vLockjaw  cured,  87 
Logan,  Samuel  B.,  son  cured, 

279 
Lockwood,  Mrs,  S.  H.,  affidavit 

ci,  55.  . 
London ,  visit  to,  206 
London,  reception  in,  207 
London,  healing  in,  213-234 
London,  farewell  to,  261-5 
Longbottom,   John,     testimony 

of,  245 
Longbottom,  Wm,,  case  of,  245 
Longstreet,  John  D.,  cure  of,  6x 
Longstreet,  John,  cure  of,  6i 
Lord,  Miss  Mary,  cure  of,  56 
Lord,  W.  B.,  cure  of,  129 
Louisville,  Ky.,  visit  to,  287 
Love,  essential  in  the  healer,  313 
Lunarites,  2^5,  246 
Lunatic  women  cured,  186-7 
Lung  disease  cured,  85,  98,  233, 

2S6 
Lumber  abscess  cured,  282 
Luther,  Martin,  a  healer,  17 
Luthrop,  Mrs.  Wm.,  care  of,  85 
Luxmore,  Mr.,  261 
Lyon,  Marietta,  cure  of,  86 
Lyon,  Mrs.  M.,  cure  of,  279 
Lyon.  Wm.,  cure  of,  286 
Lyons,  Edward,  cure  of,  121 

Mack,  George  A.,  cure  of,  87 
Madison,  John,  cure  of,  280 
Magee,  John,  cure  of,  294 
Magnetism,  170,  259 
Magnetized  letters,  healing  by, 

140 
Maidstone    Telegraph    quoted, 

241 
Mallory,  Jessie,  cure  of,  78 
Manchester  (  Eng.  )   Examiner 

quoted,  251 
Mankin,  Wm.  V.,  affidavit  of.  63 
Mann,   Dist.  Attorney,   speech 

of,  58 
Manning,  Peter,  affidavit  of,  61 
Martella,  Sabra,  cure  of,  174-5 
Mark  Twain,  294 
Marston,  Simon,  cure  of,  276 
Martin,  B.  T.,  testimony  of,  178 
Martin,  David  E.,  cure  of,  276 
Margaret,  St.,  a  healer,  15 
Martin,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  240 
Mastin,  Clark,  affidavit  of,  54 
Matchet,  Mrs.   M.,  cure  of,  49 
Mathews,  Miss,  cure  of,  177 
Maxims,  Health.  95 
Maxwell,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  25 
May,  Mrs.  James,  cure  of,  99 
Maynard,  J.,  testimony  of,  232 
Mayhew,  John,  testimony  of,  74 
Maxon,  J.  H.,  child  cured,  279 
McAden,  Irene,  cure  of,  287 
McCall,  John,  cure  of,  122 
McCormick,  of  the  Reaper,  295 
McClintock,  Dr.,  his  testimony, 

58 
McCoy,   Alexander,    statement 

of,  131 
McCrae,  Mrs.  William,  89 


McKenna,  James,  cure  of,  122 
McKenzie,  Alfred,  cure  of,  276 
McManus,  Thomas,  affidavit  of, 

68 
Meader,  Ella,  cure  of,  177 
Medicines  injurous,  94 
Medium  and  Daybreak  quoted, 

207,  etc.,  238,  253-271 
Medina,  Michael,  a  healer,  15 
Melanthon,  Philip,  restoration, 

of,  t7 
Memory  restored,  244 
Merwin,  Celia,  cure  of,  86 
Mesmerism  inadequate,  252 
Methodists,  healing  among,  21, 

22 
Meyer,  Richard,  cure  of,  20 
Miami  Gazette  quoted,  135 
Miles,  Hannah,  affidavit  of,  66 
Miller,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  25 
Miller,  Elizabeth,  cure  of,  33 
Mills,  Chas.  S.,  cure  of,  121 
Miracles  not  claimed  by  Dr.  N., 

56,  251.  259,  26x 
Miracles,  Romanist,  when  cred- 
ible, 13 
Miracles,  what  they  prove,  14 
Mitchel,  John,  cure  of,  287 
Mix,  Mrs.  Wm.,  cure  of,  86 
Morgan,  Curtis  C,  cure  of,  99 
Monk,  Miss,  cure  of,  220 
Morris,  Mrs.,  Elizabeth,  98 
Morris,  Mr.,  cure  of,  239 
Moseman,  Miss,  a  healer,  26 
Mosier,  H.  P.,  cure  of,  285 
Mouraviefl,  testimony  of,  13 
Mt.  Washington,  Ky.,  cure  at, 

146 
Muench,  C.  P..  affidavit  of,  62 
Mullery,  Mrs.  James'  child,  86 
Myconius,  restoration  of,  17 
Myers,  W.  F.,  cure  of,  285 


Nador,  Caroline,  cure  of,  90 
Name  of  patient,  pre-sensed,  104 
National     Union,     Saugerties, 

quoted,  122 
"  Nature  and  the  Supernatural " 

quoted,  25,  235 
Nearsightedness  cured,  35 
Nellis,  Sanford  P.,  cure  of,  99 
Nervous  debility  cured,  72,  87, 

249 
Nervous  excitability  cured,  89, 

152,  288 
New  Haven,  Ct.,  cures  in,  76-84 
New  Haven  Courier,  testimony 

of,  76,  77 
New   Haven  Times,  testimony 

of,  82 
Newenham,  Lady   Helena, 

daughter  cured,  212 
Newman,  Mrs.  J.  H.,  cure  of, 

49 
New  Bedford,  healing  in,  187-8 
New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  cure  at, 

160 
New  Orleans,  healing  in,  107-8 
New  Orleans  Times  quoted,  164 
Neuralgia,  cures  of,  49,  50,  54, 

89,  99,  121,  132,  181-2,  230, 

250,  281,  285 


Newport,  R.  I.,  healer  in,  155, 

etc. 
Newport  Daily  News,  testimony 

of,  155-6 
Newport  Mercury  quoted,  156 
New     York     Literary    Album 

quoted,  29 
New  York  city,  healing  in,  44  to 

55,  III  to  126,  287,  298 
New  York  Herald  quoted,  44 
New    York    Dispatch     quoted, 

118-122,  125 
New  York  Tribune  quoted,  117, 

123 
Nichols,  S.  B.,  testimony  of,  118 
Nickerson,  Ellen,  cure  of,  285 
Noaell,  Nella,  cure  of,  99 
Noe,  Mrs.  Thomas,  cure  of,  34 
North  Wilts  Herald  quoted,  181, 

234.  268 
Norton,  Julius,  cure  of,  164-5 
Norton,  Zeno,  cure  of,  121 
Nose,  excrescence  on,  cured,  82 
Nottingham,  Eng.,  healing  at, 

249 
Nutt,   Isaiah,   his  son    healed, 

159-60 

O'Brien,  Jeremiah,    cure  of,  38 
Odekirk,  Clara  W.,  cure  of,  50 
Odilia,  St.,  a  healer,  15 
Oldham,  H.,  cure  of,  34 
Oliver,  P.  S.,  testimony  of,  152 
Optic  Ner\'e,  debility  of,  cured, 

60 
Optic  Nerve,  neuralgia  of,cured, 

281 
Origen  quoted,  12 
Orr,  Geo.  W.,  cure  of,  49 
Ovarian   tumor    cured,  34,  50, 

88,  89,  90,  276,  279 
Owen,  MaryM.,  affidavit,  53 

Page,  Sarah  P.,  cure  of,  280 
Patrick,  St.,  a  healer,  15 
Paralysis,  cures  of,  33,   34,  36, 
37.  48,  49.  62,  71,  73,82,86, 
87,  89,  90,  99,  106,  122,  130, 
137.  152,  161,  164.  173,  183, 
187,  213,  215,  216,  221,  231, 
279,  2S0,  285,  286,  287 
Parker,  Harriet,  cure  of,  78,  86 
Parkhurst,  Marj',  cure  of,  115 
Partridge,    Chas.,  remarks  by, 

III 
Partridge,  Chas.,  cure  of,  123-4 
Partridge,     Josiah,      daughter 

cured,  124 
Paxon,  J.  L.,  affidavit  of,  68 
Peacock,  Harriet  J.,  cure  of,  99 
Pearson,  John,  cure  of,  214 
Peck,  Abigail,  cure  of,  87 
Peckham,  Perry  M.,  201 
Peebles,  J.  M.,  quoted,  3,  192, 

209 
Penfold,    Eliza,    testimony  of, 

250 
Pen  Yan,  N.  Y.,  healing  at,  152 
Percy,  George  W.,  cure  of,  279 
Perry,  Marvin  W.,  cure  of,  87 
Personal    characteristics,     299, 

300 
Phelps,  Amelia  S.,  cure  of,  90 


320 


INDEX. 


Phelps,  Prof.   E.  C,  testimony 

of,  289,  290 
Philadelphia,  cures  in,  56 
Philadelphia    Inquirer   quoted, 

Philip,  I.,  a  healer,  15 
Philosophy  of  Healing  Power, 

40,  257 
Pike,  Willie  Marshall,  275 
Pilot,  Mississippi,  cured,  297 
Pinkard,  John,  cure  of,  249 
Plaisted,    Frank,    child    cured, 

149 
Piatt,  Rev.  S.  H.,  cure  of,  26 
Plotmus,  a  healer,  192 
Poland,  Archer  B.,  cure  of,  279 
Polypus,  cure  of,  34,  48-9 
Pomeroy,  Mrs.  Caroline,  90 
Porter,  Mrs.  David,  cure  of,  177 
Portland,  Me.,  healing  in,   179, 

297,  298 
Portland  Transcript,  testimony 

of,  179 
Pratt,  Mrs.  Luke,  cure  of,  89 
Pray,  Issac,  cure  of,  176 
Prayer,  use  of,  309 
Prentiss,  R.  S.,  cure  of,  50 
Price,  Mrs.  A.  A.,  cure  of,  82 
Price,  Mrs.  Laura  Ann,  99 
Professors  of  religion  appealed 

to,  155-163  _ 
Prolapsus  Uteri,  cures  of,   49, 

5o<  55.  83 
Prosecution  in  Philadelphia,  57 
Protestant  Church,  healing   in, 

16-26 
Protestant  theory,  7,  8,  26 
Providence,  R.  L,   healing  in, 

165-175 
Providence     Morning     Herald 

quoted, 148 
Providence  Press  quoted,   165, 

169        . 
Psychopathic  Institution,  271 
Public  career,  beginning  of,  33 
Pulsfoid,  George,  cure  of,  214 
Purington,  Mrs.  Benj.,  90 
Putnam,  Sarah  H.,  cure  of,  145 
Pyrrhus,  King,  a  healer,  191 

Quakers,  healing  among,  19-21 
Quaint  scenes,  229 

Raising  the  Dead,  302-7 
Rand,  Mrs.,  daughter  cured,  8 r 
Ransom,  Mrs.  John,  276 
Ranville,  Frank  L.,  279 
Ray,  Mrs.  Cordelia  R.,  152-3 
Reanimation  of  corpses,  302-3 
Reception  in  London,  207 
Recor,  Sarah  H..  cure  of,  78 
Redding,  Harriet,  cure  of,  220 
Reed,  C.  H.,  cure  of,  92 
Reilly,  Hiram,  cure  of,  144 
Religio-Philosophical     Journal 

quoted,  118 
Remington,  Mrs.  D.  E.,  88 
Reminiscences,  291 
Rendell,  Ada,  cure  of,  292 
Return  to  America,  272 
Reynolds,  Martha,  cure  of,  98 
Rheumatic  fever  cured,  196 
Rheumatism,  cures  of,  25,  33, 


34»  36,  49»  50*  62,  63,  67,  78, 
80,  81,   86,   87,   98,  99,    108, 
121,  122,  128,  131,  132,  135, 
143.  I4S»  149,  i72>  179,  201, 
215,  220,  221,  240,  245,  249, 
276,  279,  285,  286,  2S7 
Rice,  Daniel,  cure  of,  34 
Richards,  G.,  cure  of,  215,  231 
Richardson,  Joseph,  110 
Richmond,  Reliance,  122 
Richter,  a  healer,  15 
Rickets,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  221 
Rider,  Amasa,  cure  of,  8g 
Rider,  Martha,  cure  of,  50 
Ridgeway,  Ks.,  cure  at,  144 
Riley,  Charles,  cure  of,  122 
Robinson,  A.  C.,  testimony  of, 

176 
Robinson,  Mrs.,  cure  of.  249 
Robinson,    Geo.    W.,    affidavit 

of,  67 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  healing  in, 

98-101,  294 
Rochester      Evening     Express 

quoted,  100 
Rochester    Democrat     quoted, 

100 
Rogers,  Hon.  James,  testimony 

of,  144 
Rogers,  Mrs.  E.  F.,  cure  of,  130 
Rolls,  Wm.,  cure  of,  33 
Roman  Church,  healing  in,  13- 

16 
Rome,  Ancient,  healing  in,  191 
Root,  Joel  H.,  cure  of,  88 
Root,  Mr.,  cure  of,  292 
Rood,  George,  cure  of,  276 
Rowe,  Ada,  cure  of,  280 
Rowe,  Mrs.,  care  of,  241 
Rowlee,  Mrs.  N.,  cure  of,  148-9 
Rowlee,  Nathan,  statement  of, 

149 
Rowse,  Gardner,  affidavit  of,  51 
Rudderforth,     Thomas,     state- 
ment of,  151 
Rumer,  Mary  A.,  certificate  of, 

65 
Ruptured    muscles  cured,   124, 

216 
Russell,  Adam,  case  of,  241 
Russell,    G.  J.,    testimony   of, 

289 
Russell,  Mrs.  H.,  cure  of,  154 
Russell,  Minnie,  cure  of,  288 

Sacramento,   Cal.,  healing    in, 

286-7 
Sagar,  Mrs.,  case  of,  244 
Salamanca,  child  of,  15 
Salem,  Ms.,  healing  in,    166-8, 

299 
Salmadores  of   Spain,  healers, 

Salt  Lake  City,  cures  at,  147-8 
Salt  Lake  Tribune  quoted,  147 
Sanderson,  Ella,  cure  of,  280 
San  Francisco,  healing  in,  283-5 
San  Francisco  Ev.  Post  quoted, 

283 
Satan     credited    with     healing 

power,  202,  203,  251 
Satterlee,  Mrs.  Hulda  C,  99 
Savage,  W.  M.,  297 


Savannah,  Ga.,  healing  in,  108-9 
Saviors,  ail  may  be,  264 
Savoy,  Lewis,  cure  of,  85 
Sawyer,  C  F.,  cure  of,  279 
Sawyer,  Mary  A.,  testimony  of, 

'53 
Sayer,  Wm.,  cure  of,  221 
Scald-head  cured,  70,  279 
Schroeder,    Charles,     son     of, 

cured,  160 
Sciatica  cured,  38,  86,   87,  245, 

279,  280 
Scott,  George  D.,  cure  of,  89 
Scott,  Jane,  cure  of,  35 
Scott,  Mary  E.,  cure  of,  86 
Scotus  Erigena,  a  healer,  15 
Scrofula   cured,    99,    100,    124, 

153,  177.  187,  276,  285 
Sears,  Almira,  cure  of,  99 
Sectarian  narrowness,  200 
Seville,  Ohio,  cure  at,  152 
Shakers,  healing  among,  22-24 
Shakers,  visit  to,  293 
Sharp,  Mrs.  Jacob,  cure  of,  49 
Shaw,  Miss,  cure  of,  226 
Shelton,  Mrs.  Almira,  88 
Sherburne,  Helen  C,  277-8 
Sherman,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  26 
Sherman,    Mr.,     of     Sherman 

House,  cure  of,  295 
Sherman,  Robert,  testimony  of, 

278 
Shorter,  Thomas,  remarks  by, 

208-9,  261-3 
Shorter,  Thomas,  acknowledg- 
ment to,  268 
Sibley,  Charles,  case  of,  171 
Simmonds,  Thomas,  240 
Simmons,  Mrs.  Joseph,  148 
Simmons,  Caroline,  241 
Simmons,  Mr.,  cure  of,  284 
Simmonson,  Lott,  cure  of,  122 
Skepticism   has  disadvantages, 

310,311 
Slayton,  Mrs.  Chas.,  cure  of,  83 
Slee,  Mrs.  Sarah,  cure  of,  50 
Sleeping  with  hands  to  the  head, 

96 
Sloane',  Joseph  W.,  279 
Smeaton,  Mrs.  Wm.  Henry,  122 
Smith,  G.  Morgan,  cure  of,  87 
Smith,  Gerritt,  298 
Smith,  Mrs.  Harris,  cure  of,  86 
Smith,  Mrs.  Leverett,  90 
Smith,  Mrs.  Rebecca  E.,  173 
Smith,  Sidney,  cure  of,  285,286 
Smith,  the  razor-strop  man,  298 
Smither,  Samuel  T.,  240 
Snow,  Mrs.  Nancy,  cure  of,  276 
Softening  of  brain  cured,  285 
Somerson,  Seth  S.,  affidavit  of, 

Somerville,     Ms.,     remarkable 

cure  at,  281 
Southwick,    Elizabeth    S.,  affi- 
davit of,  39 
Spangler,  Wm.,  cure  of,  285 
Spasms  cured,  90,  154,  175 
Spencer,  Phebe,  cure  of,  23 
Sperry,  Wm.  D.,  cure  of,  12 1 
Spine,  ossified,  cured,  160 
Spinal  curvature,  99,  177,  2141 
279 


321 


Spinal  injury  cured,  215,  240, 
276,  277>  295 

Spinal  disease  cured,  34,  35,  39, 
49,  60,  61,  62,64,  65,66,  72, 
73,74,75,78.81,85,86,87, 

89,  90,  98,  100,  loS,  121, 
122,  125,  130,  133,  187,  241, 
249,  276,  280,  286,  2S7,  288, 
292,  294.  299 

Spiritual  Magazine  quoted,  23S 
Spirits,  healing  power  attribut- 
ed to,  113,  192-3,  197,  203, 
.  282 
Spirit-presence  recognized,  117, 

199,  203,  244 
Spiritualism,  Modem,   189-199, 

282 
Spleen,  enlarged,  cured,  121 
Spleen,  function  of,  43 
Springfield,  Ms.,  visit    to,  88, 

.293 
Springfield,  111.,  visit  to,  295 
Stacy,  Mrs.  Jas.  E.,  cure  of,  35 
Stammering  cured,  87,  241 
Steadman,  Mrs.  L.  L.,  90 
Steele,  Sophia,  cure  of,  89 
Stebbins,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  36 
Stevens,  Mrs.  Sam'l,  cure  of,  38 
Stockwell,  Mrs.  D.  B.,  86 
Stiff  hand  and   fingers    cured, 

121,  177 
Stiff  knee  cured,  99,  215,   237, 

238,  240 
Stiff  neck  cured,  87,  160 
Stiles,  Reuben  T.,  cure  of,  99 
Stone,  Israel,  cure  of,  121 
Stone,  Dr.,  of  Westbrook,  Me., 

116,  296 
Stowe,  Mrs.  Anna,  cure  of,  86 
Stradling,    Moses,   aflSdavit  of, 

Stringham,  Mrs.  J.  B.,  49 

St.   Louis,  Mo.,  cures  at,   145, 

287 
St.   Louis    Democrat     quoted, 

287 
St.  Vitus'  dance  cured,  87,  89, 

90,  124,  279,  280,  285,  286, 
287 

Strut,  Miss,  cure  of,  232 
Sutherland,  Annie,  cure  of,  285 
Sutton,  James,  cure  of,  249 
Swan,  Dr.  G.,  testimony  of,  142 
Swansea,  Ms.,  healing  at,  148 
Sweeney,  James,  affidavit  of,  59 
Swindon,  Eng.,  visit  to,  234 
Syrian  Church,  healing  in,  13 

Tacitus,  testimony  of,  191 
Tallman,  Elnathan  S.,  affidavit 

of,  66 
Tape  worm  removed,  123 
Taylor,  Alice,  affidavit  of,  64 
Taylor,  D.  G.,  cure  of,  61,  114 
Taylor,  John  A.,  cure  of,  122 
Taylor,  Mrs.  George,  90 
Tavlor,  Mrs.  N.  B.,  cure  of,  81 
Tebb,  Mr.,  remarks  by,  209 
Tebb,  Mr.,  acknowledgment  to, 

268 
Teel,  Ella,  cure  of,  276 
Templar,  Mr.,  cure  of,  220 
Tertullian  quoted,  11 


Teson,  Henrj',  cure  of,  226 
Tetter  cured.  73 
Thayer,  G.  W.,  cure  of,  8g 
Thomas,  Mrs.  C.  P.,  statement 

of,  136 
Thompson,  Edwin  W.,  280 
Tibbetts,  Wm.  B.,  cure  of,  279 
Tic,  see  Neuralgia 
Tierman,  F.  A.,  cure  of,  285 
Times,  Hartford,  quoted,  79 
Tingley,  Mary  B.,  cure  of,  87 
Tioga    Democrat    quoted,   loi, 

Titcomb,  Mrs.  L.  F.,  cure  of,  89 
Toledo,  Ohio,  visit  to,  295 
Toledo  Record  quoted,  133 
Tomlinscm,  Hannrh»  215 
Toohy,  Mrs.  Wm..  cure  of,  292 
Topeka   State   Record  quoted, 

137 
Towns,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  276 
Treat,  Mrs.  H.,  cure  of,  81 
Treat,  Truman,  cure  of,  23 
Tribune,   N.   Y.,  testimony  of, 

Trist,  Hon.  Nicholas  P.,  note 

from,  74 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  cures  in,  130-13 1 
Troy  Press  quoted,  130 
Truckwell,  Mrs.  Margaret,  108 
Tumor,  cures  of,   34,  78,  86,  87, 
88,   90,   91,    100,    126,    129, 
177,  1S6,  187,  226,  228,  232, 
248,  262,  276,  279,  284,  286, 
293 
Turner,  Capt.  H.  P.,  276 
Turner,  Jonathan,  cure  of,  23 
Turquand,   Sarah    E.,   affidavit 

of,  70 
Tuttle,  Hon.  Chas.  E.,  285 
Tuttle,  Wm.  C,  cure  of,  171 
Twort,  M.  A.,  cure  of,  239 
Tyndale,  Hon.  Sharon,  295 

Ulcer  cured,  34,  78,  86,  121,  151 
Upton,  Nathan,  297 
Utica,  N.  Y.,  visit  to,  127 
Utica  Observer  quoted,  127-129 

Vaccination  poisoning,  case  of, 

cured,  82 
Vaccination,  dangerous,  95 
Van  Buren,  Henry,  cure  of,  131 
Van  Horn,  Chas.  C,  afiidavit 

of,  70 
Vanhouten,  Geo.  F.,  son,  cure 

of,  121 
Vanhouten,  Mrs.  C,  121 
Van  Meter,  Rev.  W.  C.,  cure 

of,  215,  222,  262 
Van  Wart,  Wm.,  cure  of,  49 
Van  Wart,  Wm.   H.,  affidavit 

of,  54 
Varicose  vems  cured,  99,   186, 

28s 
Vespasian,  the  Emperor,  a  heal- 
er, igi 
Vicar,  wife  of,  cured,  227 
Vincent,  C.  B.,  affidavit  of,  52 
Vincent,  Eliza,  cure  of,  136 
Viner,  Henry,  testimony  of,  143 
Vision,  singular,  143 
Vision,  imperfect,  cured,  226 


Visit  to  Dr.  Newton,  230 
Voice   restored,  34,  38,  49,  eo, 

64,  66,  76,  78,  81,86,87,88, 

89,   98,   99,    104,    115,    145, 

166,  177,  187,  230,  248,  276, 

280 
Wadsworth,  Mrs.  S.  E.,  38 
Wait,  Clark  J.,  cure  of,  121 
Wait,  Jennie  A.,  cure  of,  292 
Waland,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  221 
Walker,  Asa  T.,  cure  of,  276 
Walker,  Mary,  cure  of,  245 
Walker,  Mr.,  297 
Wallace  W.,  cure  of,  104,  215 
Wallace,   Mrs.   Elizabeth,  35 
Wallace,  Mrs.  Wm.,cure  of,  276 
Walters,  Minnie  H.,  cure  of,  26 
Waltham,  Ms.,  cure  at,  145 
Walter,  CM.,  certificate  of ,  66 
Warburton,  Bishop,  21 
Ward,  Alice  M.,  cure  of,  177 
Ward,  Man,',  cure  of,  50 
Waring,  Amos,  cure  of,  287 
Warner,  Daniel,  daughter  cured, 

87 
Warner,  Horace,  cure  of,  87 
Warner,  John,  F.,  affidavit  of,  36 
Warner,    Sam'l    F.,    daughter 

cured,  87 
Warren,  Herbert,  cure  of,  87 
Wason,  James,  268 
Wason,  Thos.  W.,  cure  of,  88, 

9«,  293 
Washington,  D.  C,  visit  to,  293 
Water,  hot,  use  of,  92 
Water  on  the  brain  cured,  113 
Waterman,  Lynd  S.,  276 
Waters,  W.  C,  cure  of,  86 
Waters,  W.  R.,  cure  of,  240 
Wathen,  Miss  E.  A.,  215 
Wathen,  Miss  E.  A.,  testimony 

of,  222,  230,  233 
Watson,  Mary  E.,  affidavit  of,  60 
Watson,  Mr.,  cure  of,  2/3 
Watt,  Thomas,  case  of,  104 
Watts,  Mr.,  cure  of,  213 
Way,  Mrs.  G.,  cure  of,  215 
Webb,  Elijah,  case  of,  249 
Webb,  Jas.  H.,  jr.,  cure  of,  228 
Weber,  J.  B.,  testimony  of,  275 
Weber,  Mrs.  J.  B.,  cure  of, 275 
Webster,  Mrs.  Martha,  284 
Wedding,  Mrs.  E.,  cure  of,  146 
Wedding,  J.   H.,  statement  of, 

146-7 
Wellman,  Mrs.  Mary  W.,  273 
Wells,  R.  G.,  cure  of,  98,  132 
Wentworth,  Mrs.  Ellen,  86 
Wesley,  John,  a  healer,  21 
West  Jabez,  cure  of,  87 
Westervelt,  Mrs.  E.,  cure  of,  50 
Weston,  Alice,  cure  of,  82 
Wheaton,  Noah,  cure  of,  22 
Wheeler,  Cyrus,  cure  of,  287 
Whiffen,  Collector,  case  of,  129 
White.  Kate,  cure  of,  78,  88 
White,  Tyler  W.,  affidavit  of,  67 
White,  Wm.,  testimony  of,  joi 
White  Wm.,  cure  of,  249 
White  Wm.,   acknowledgments 

to,  268 
White  swelling  cured,  177,  284 
Whittaker,  Mrs.  H.,  cure  of,  145 


322 


Whitten,  Arthur,  testimony  of, 

185-188 
Whittlesay,  Hannah,  cure  of,  81 
Widow's  son,  case  of,  304 
Wilcox,  Amos  A.,  cure  of,  49 
Wilkinson,  Mrs.  H.,  cure  of,  86 
Williams,  Chas.,  cure  of,  82 
Williams,  Margaret  B.,  cure  of, 

121 
Williams,  Wm.,  cure  of,  285 
Willis,  Dr.  F.  L.  H.,  testimony 

of,  167 
Wilson,  Anna,  affidavit  of,  66 
Winslow:,  Mrs.,  case  of,  172 


Wise,  Mrs.,  cure  of,  38 
Withered  hand  cured,  183 
Woodbury,  Alice  J.,  affidavit  of, 

64 
Wooderson,  H.,  cure  of,  228 
Woodworth,  John,  cure  of,  gg 
Worcester,  M.,  visit  to,  294 
Worthen,  Hon.  A.  H.,  295 
Wright,  Mrs.  F.  L.,  cure  of,  83 
Wright,  Isaac,  cure  of,  108 

Yeaton,  Moses,  cure  of,  276 
Yeaw,  Jesse  L.,  cure  of,  177 


Yeaw,  Willie,  cure  of,  177 
Yellow  fever  cured,  31 
Yonkers-on-the-Hudson,loca£es 

in,  288 
Young,  Mrs.  E.  A.,  cure  of,  152 
Young,  Mrs.  Sarah  C,  cure  of, 

88 
Young,  Rev.   F.  R.,  testimony 

of,  181-5,  236-7,  250 
Young,  Rev.  F.  R.,  courage  of, 

268 
Young,  Wm.  A.,  affidavit  of,  69 
Young,  M.  F.,  testimony  of,  250 


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NOV  17  1961 
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